Ind vs Eng 2nd Test 2025 Gill Twin Centuries Shine in Edgbaston
1. Musical Mayhem in Birmingham Meets Cricketing Symphony
On a memorable Saturday in Birmingham, while heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne lit up the music world with a grand farewell performance, cricket fans were treated to their own kind of symphony — orchestrated by Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. Four miles from the electrifying Villa Park, a different sort of crescendo was building at Edgbaston where India took firm control of the second Test against England.
2. Shubman Gill’s Twin Tons: A Class Apart
India’s batting prodigy Shubman Gill delivered a masterclass, scoring his second hundred of the match with a sublime 161 off just 162 balls. Gill’s innings, decorated with 13 boundaries and 8 towering sixes, was a blend of composure and calculated aggression. Unlike his first-innings century, which was about consolidation, the second was all about expression — shot after elegant shot flowed from his bat, flattening the English bowling attack.
Notably, this was Gill’s third 140+ score in his last four Test innings — a clear sign of the youngster reaching peak form in red-ball cricket.
3. Rishabh Pant Rocks Edgbaston with a Blazing 65
Rishabh Pant brought the chaos, flair, and thrill that only he can. His 58-ball 65 was pure entertainment — 8 boundaries and 3 sixes were complemented by dramatic moments like dropped chances, flying bats, and a bizarre dismissal that left fans chuckling. Pant was eventually caught at deep mid-off after his bat slipped out of his hand while attempting another audacious shot, but not before adding 110 valuable runs with Gill.
The pair’s momentum-shifting partnership ensured England never got a whiff of a comeback.
4. Jadeja’s Composure Complements the Fireworks
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja played the perfect foil to Gill and Pant with an unbeaten 69 off 118 balls. It was his 24th Test fifty and came at a crucial phase when India looked to consolidate and press for a declaration. His patience, paired with occasional aggression (5 fours, 1 six), allowed India to stretch their lead beyond 600.
His unbeaten stand with Gill — a 175-run partnership — may well have buried England’s hopes of chasing down a world-record total.
5. Rahul and Karun Lay the Foundation
Earlier in the day, overnight batters K.L. Rahul (55) and Karun Nair (26) weathered a testing spell from the English bowlers. Both fell in the first session — Nair nicked off to Carse, while Rahul was undone by a peach from Josh Tongue. However, by then, the lead had already crossed the 300-run mark.
Their contributions might appear modest, but they provided the calm before the storm that Gill and Pant unleashed.
6. England’s Bowling Falters Under Pressure
England’s attack, spearheaded by Woakes, Carse, and Tongue, found some rhythm early in the day but completely lost their way once Gill and Pant began counterattacking. Josh Tongue, in particular, was punished harshly, finishing with figures of 1 for 93 in just 15 overs. Shoaib Bashir managed to get Pant out, but it was too little, too late.
The bowlers’ inability to break key partnerships or maintain pressure cost England dearly.
7. India Declares at 427/6, Sets Mammoth Target
With enough on the board and ample time left in the match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma declared the innings at 427 for 6. That set England a target of 608 — which would be the highest successful run chase in the history of Test cricket if achieved.
The timing of the declaration showcased India’s confidence in their bowling attack and the deteriorating pitch conditions.
8. Akash Deep and Siraj Strike Early to Dent England
India’s new-ball bowlers wasted no time. Akash Deep removed Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley in quick succession, while Mohammed Siraj sent back Joe Root cheaply. England stumbled to 72 for 3 at stumps on Day 4, with only Ollie Pope (24*) and Harry Brook (15*) offering some resistance.
India’s decision to attack with aggressive field placements and tight lines paid off instantly, giving them the upper hand heading into Day 5.
9. A Minor Concern: Wasted Reviews
Despite the dominance, India will be wary of burning both their reviews on Day 4. With one full day of cricket left and conditions aiding seam and spin, those lost reviews might prove costly if fine margins come into play.
It remains the only blemish in an otherwise commanding performance by the visitors.
10. Final Day Preview: Can England Survive or Will India Triumph?
With England needing an improbable 536 runs more and seven wickets in hand, Day 5 is likely to be about survival rather than pursuit. But against a confident and energized Indian attack, even survival seems daunting.
If India wins — as is most likely — it will go down as one of their most complete overseas Test performances, with centuries from top-order batters and incisive bowling spells from the pace unit.
