India vs England 2nd Test Day 4 : Shubman Gill’s Record Breaking Masterclass Powers India at Edgbaston

India vs England 2nd Test Day 4 :

On July 5, 2025, the fourth day of the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston delivered a spectacle of cricketing brilliance, led by India’s young captain, Shubman Gill. Scoring a phenomenal 430 runs in the match: 269 in the first innings and 161 in the second. Gill shattered records and put India in a commanding position. With India amassing a rare 1014 runs across both innings and England struggling at 72/3 in their chase of 608, the stage is set for a thrilling final day. Here’s a detailed look at the day’s events, key performances, and what lies ahead.

Match Context: A Series on the Line

Coming off a loss in the first Test at Headingley, India were under pressure to bounce back in the five-Test series, which England led 1-0. The second Test at Edgbaston, a venue known for its batting friendly pitches, provided the perfect stage for India to showcase their depth. With Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket, all eyes were on Shubman Gill, the new captain, to lead the charge. Gill not only answered his critics but also etched his name into the record books with a performance for the ages.

First Innings: India’s Batting Dominance

The match began with England captain Ben Stokes winning the toss and opting to field, hoping to exploit early conditions. However, India’s batsmen had other plans. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal laid a solid foundation, with Jaiswal scoring a fluent 87 off 107 balls. Shubman Gill, batting at number 4, then took center stage with big score of 269 off 387 balls. His innings, marked by elegant drives and impeccable timing, was a masterclass in Test batting. Gill’s 93.28% control percentage highlighted his discipline, with minimal false shots.

Ravindra Jadeja (89 off 137) provided good support, forming a crucial partnership with Gill to help India reach a total of 587 in 151 overs. England’s bowlers toiled, with Shoaib Bashir taking 3/167 and Josh Tongue and Chris Woakes claiming two wickets each, but they couldn’t stop India’s relentless scoring.

England responded with 407 in 89.3 overs, driven by centuries from Harry Brook (158 off 234) and Jamie Smith (184 off 207). However, Akash Deep’s 4/88 and Mohammed Siraj’s 6/70 ensured England trailed by 180 runs, giving India a significant advantage.

Day 4: Gill’s Brilliance and India’s Declaration

Day 4 began with India looking to extend their lead quickly. Gill, continuing his sublime form, scored a brisk 161 off 162 balls, his third century of the series and eighth overall. His second-innings knock was more aggressive, showcasing his ability to adapt to the match situation. Rishabh Pant, dropped on 10, entertained with a rapid 65 off 58 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja contributed 69. KL Rahul added 55, helping India build a formidable lead.

India declared at 427/6, setting England a world record target of 608 runs. The declaration, which came later than some expected, sparked discussions about India’s strategy, with some questioning whether they could have pushed for more runs earlier. However, the move left England with a daunting task and limited time to chase.

India’s Second Innings Key Performers	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Strike Rate
Shubman Gill	161	162	18	2	99.38
Rishabh Pant	65	58	7	3	112.07
Ravindra Jadeja	69	85	8	1	81.18
KL Rahul	55	70	6	0	78.57

England’s Rocky Start

England’s chase began in the final session of day 4, and India’s bowlers struck early. Mohammed Siraj dismissed opener Zak Crawley for a seven-ball duck, caught in the slips. Akash Deep, who has been a revelation in this match, removed Ben Duckett (25) and Joe Root (6), both falling to sharp deliveries. By stumps, England were 72/3 in 16 overs, with Ollie Pope (24* off 44) and Harry Brook (15* off 15) at the crease, needing 536 more runs to win.

England’s Second Innings at Stumps	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Strike Rate
Ollie Pope (not out)	24	44	3	0	54.54
Harry Brook (not out)	15	15	2	0	100.00
Zak Crawley	0	7	0	0	0.00
Ben Duckett	25	30	4	0	83.33
Joe Root	6	16	1	0	37.50

India’s Bowling Figures	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	Economy
Akash Deep	8	1	36	2	4.50
Mohammed Siraj	5	1	29	1	5.80

Records Shattered by Gill and India

Shubman Gill’s 430 runs in the match (269 + 161) is a historic achievement, making him the first Indian to score a double century and a century in the same Test. His 269 in the first innings surpassed Virat Kohli’s 254* (Pune, 2019) as the highest score by an Indian captain in Tests and Sunil Gavaskar’s 221 (The Oval, 1979) as the highest by an Indian in England. It’s also the highest score by an Indian batter outside Asia, overtaking Sachin Tendulkar’s 241* (Sydney, 2004).

India’s match aggregate of 1014 runs (587 + 427) is a rare feat, underscoring their batting prowess on a flat Edgbaston pitch. This total places them among an elite group of teams to cross 1000 runs in a Test match, a testament to their depth and aggression.

Standout Performances

• Shubman Gill: His 430 runs in the match, with a double century and a century, have drawn comparisons to Virat Kohli, whom Gill idolized growing up. His disciplined yet aggressive batting has silenced doubters about his form in overseas conditions.

• Akash Deep: The debutant pacer took 4/88 in England’s first innings and 2/36 in the second, proving his worth in conditions that suit his swing and seam movement.

• Rishabh Pant: His quickfire 65 in the second innings, despite an early drop, accelerated India’s scoring and set the tone for the declaration.

• Harry Brook and Jamie Smith: England’s first innings centuries (158 and 184) kept them in the game, but their second innings challenge will define their legacy in this Test.

What to Expect on Day 5

As the match heads into its final day on July 6, 2025, India need seven wickets to secure a victory that would level the series at 1-1. England, known for their aggressive “Bazball” approach under Ben Stokes, face a near impossible task of scoring 536 runs. The pitch, while batsman friendly, has shown signs of wear, offering some assistance to India’s bowlers, particularly Akash Deep and Siraj. Ollie Pope and Harry Brook will need to produce career defining knocks to keep England in the hunt, but India’s bowling attack, backed by Gill’s leadership, looks poised to seal the win.

Gill’s Emergence as Captain

Taking over from Rohit Sharma, Gill faced scrutiny about his ability to lead in challenging overseas conditions. His 430-run masterclass has not only answered those questions but also drawn praise from cricket pundits. India’s bowling coach lauded Akash Deep’s performance, noting that the UK conditions suit his bowling style, which bodes well for the rest of the series. Gill’s ability to lead by example, both with the bat and in strategic decisions like the declaration, marks him as a captain to watch.

Shubman Gill’s record-breaking performance has put India in a dominant position in the second Test at Edgbaston. His 430 runs, combined with India’s massive 1014-run total, have set the stage for a potential victory. As the cricketing world watches, day 5 promises to be a battle of nerves, with India’s bowlers aiming to close out the game and England hoping for a miracle. Gill’s emergence as a leader and batsman signals a bright future for Indian cricket.

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Sources : Sources : ESPNcricinfo , ICC