India vs England 2nd Test Day 4 Report: Team India continues to assert its dominance over England in the ongoing second Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham. After setting a gargantuan target of 608 runs, India reduced England to 72/3 at stumps on Day 4, leaving the hosts a herculean task of chasing 536 more runs on the final day or surviving 90 overs to avoid a 2-0 series deficit.
Shubman Gill’s Masterclass and India’s Commanding Batting Display
The day began with India firmly in the driver’s seat after bowling out England for 407 in their first innings, gaining a hefty lead of 180 runs. Skipper Shubman Gill led from the front yet again, smashing an imperious 161 in India’s second innings. Having already scored 269 in the first innings, the 25-year-old is scripting one of the finest individual performances in a single Test match.
Gill’s innings was laced with 13 fours and 8 sixes, displaying an aggressive brand of Test cricket that demoralized the English attack. He was well-supported by Rishabh Pant (65 off 58 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (69* off 118 balls), as India declared their innings at 427/6 in just 83 overs, pushing their lead beyond the 600-mark.
Akash Deep, Siraj Strike Early as England Falter Again
Facing a mammoth fourth-innings chase of 608 runs — the highest in Test history — England were immediately pushed onto the back foot. Zak Crawley fell cheaply for 0, caught brilliantly by substitute fielder B Sai Sudharsan off Siraj. Ben Duckett (25) showed intent but was undone by Akash Deep, who was again among the wickets.
England were reduced to 50/3 after Joe Root (6) became Akash Deep’s second victim, bringing Harry Brook and Ollie Pope together at the crease. The pair added a steady 22-run stand to take England to 72/3 at stumps, but the task ahead remains daunting.
Match Summary So Far:
- India 1st Innings: 587 all out
- Shubman Gill 269, Nitish Reddy 89
- Shoaib Bashir 3/167
- England 1st Innings: 407 all out
- Jamie Smith 184*, Harry Brook 158
- Akash Deep 4/88, Siraj 5/87
- India 2nd Innings: 427/6 declared
- Shubman Gill 161, Rishabh Pant 65
- Shoaib Bashir 2/119
- England 2nd Innings: 72/3 (16 overs)
- Ollie Pope 24*, Harry Brook 15*
- Akash Deep 2/36, Siraj 1/29
Bowlers Impress: Siraj and Akash Deep Star Again
Akash Deep, who rattled the English top order in the first innings with four wickets, returned to haunt them again, finishing the day with figures of 2/36. Mohammed Siraj, fresh from a five-wicket haul earlier, kept up the pressure with pace and movement.
Prasidh Krishna bowled a tidy spell, conceding just six runs off his three overs, showing how disciplined the Indian attack has been.
England’s Slim Hopes Rest on Middle Order
With 536 runs still needed and only seven wickets in hand, England’s hopes now lie with Ollie Pope and Harry Brook. A miracle is needed — not just in skill but in resilience — for England to even entertain the possibility of survival. Jamie Smith, who scored a valiant 184 in the first innings, will again be crucial if England manage to stretch the match deep into Day 5.
India Eyes Historic Win
A win here would give India a 2-0 lead in the five-match series and a significant psychological edge. Shubman Gill’s captaincy, combined with India’s all-round brilliance, has been a standout. With a bowling attack that has consistently delivered breakthroughs, India are well-poised to seal the match on the final day.
Day 5 Preview: Weather, Pitch, and Expectations
With the pitch offering variable bounce and signs of turn for the spinners, India’s Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar may come into play on Day 5. The weather forecast remains clear, which means England will have no assistance from rain.
All eyes will be on Edgbaston as India looks to wrap up a dominant victory, while England will hope for a miracle to either draw or avoid a collapse.
