BIRMINGHAM: Akash Deep delivered a career-best performance to help secure a memorable victory for India in the second Test at Edgbaston on Sunday, levelling the series against England.
The pacer claimed match-winning figures of 6 for 99 in the second innings and 10 for 187 overall—his best in Test cricket—to take India to a commanding 336-run win, their largest away Test victory by runs.
Deep, playing in the second Test after India rested Jasprit Bumrah, took 6-99 as England, set a mammoth 608 runs to win, were dismissed for 271 before tea on the fifth day.
This win was also India’s first-ever Test triumph at Edgbaston, making them the first Asian side to win a Test at this venue.
The result came despite a 100-minute rain delay on the final day and a resilient 88-run innings from England’s Jamie Smith, who briefly threatened to take the match into the final session.
India resumed Day 5 in a commanding position, opening with Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna. Bowling from the opposite end to where he had taken two wickets the previous evening, Akash struck early, removing Ollie Pope, who dragged the ball onto his stumps.
Akash continued to trouble the batters with movement around the off-stump and soon trapped Harry Brook lbw with a sharp in-seamer.
Although Ben Stokes and Smith tried to stabilise the innings with a 50-run partnership, India maintained relentless pressure. Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja were brought into the attack, with Jadeja posing consistent threats from the rough outside off-stump.
Stokes survived a close chance down the leg side off Washington Sundar but was eventually trapped lbw by the off-spinner just before the lunch interval.
In the second session, India maintained the intensity. Jadeja built pressure with his quick overs while Smith completed his half-century. Prasidh dismissed Woakes with a short-pitched delivery, and Smith survived a close LBW call via DRS.
However, Akash bounced back, dismissing Smith with a short ball caught in the deep, registering his maiden five-wicket haul in the process.
Jadeja dismissed Josh Tongue with the help of a sharp catch from Siraj at short midwicket. Although Shoaib Bashir managed to hit a six and overturned a caught-behind decision through DRS, Akash Deep had the final word. He removed Brydon Carse, caught by Shubman Gill, to complete his ten-wicket match haul and bring England’s innings to a close.
Earlier in the match, India’s batting was anchored by captain Shubman Gill, who produced a stunning 269—the highest score ever by an Indian Test captain. He shared a 203-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja and added 144 with Washington Sundar, propelling India to a formidable first-innings total of 587 after being put in to bat.
England responded with a strong 303-run stand between Jamie Smith and Harry Brook after being reduced to 84 for 5. They posted 407, with Siraj taking 6 for 70 and Akash claiming 4 for 88.
India extended their dominance in the second innings, with Gill scoring another century—161—to help set a daunting target of 608 after declaring at 427 for 6.
