India Takes Command in Edgbaston Test, Eyes Historic Victory

India's Dominance on Day 4

On Day 4 of the Edgbaston Test, India showcased their strength by setting England a daunting target of 608 runs. As the day concluded, England found themselves three wickets down, with India firmly in control and aiming for a historic win at this iconic venue.

Match Overview

The fourth day of the Test match on July 5 saw India take charge with a stellar batting performance followed by a fierce bowling display. After declaring their second innings at 427 for 7 in just 83 overs, India established a massive lead of 607 runs, leaving England with a monumental target of 608 runs to chase. By the end of Day 4, England managed to score 72 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 16 overs, with Ollie Pope and Harry Brook at the crease, needing 536 runs to secure victory.

Key Highlights from Day 4

1. **Shubman Gill's Record-Breaking Performance**: Following his remarkable first innings score of 269, Shubman Gill continued his impressive form with a blistering 161 runs off just 162 balls in the second innings. His aggressive batting, particularly in the final session where he scored 61 runs off 32 balls, significantly boosted India's scoring rate before the declaration.

2. **Milestones Achieved by Gill**: With this innings, Gill set multiple records, including becoming the first Indian to score 400 runs in a Test match (totaling 430), and the first to score both 200 and 150 in the same Test. He also became the second Asian to score over 350 runs in a Test match and the second player after Allan Border to score 150+ in both innings of a Test.

3. **Rishabh Pant's Explosive Knock**: Rishabh Pant entertained fans with a dynamic innings of 65 runs off 58 balls, featuring 8 fours and 3 sixes. His aggressive style of play helped him break Ben Stokes' record for the most sixes in Test matches in England, achieving 24 sixes in just 11 matches.

4. **Ravindra Jadeja's Support**: Contributing significantly, Ravindra Jadeja scored an unbeaten 69 runs off 118 balls, forming a crucial partnership with Gill that extended India's lead to over 550 runs.

5. **Bowling Attack's Early Strikes**: Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep once again troubled England's batting lineup, reducing them to 50 for 3 early in their innings. Siraj dismissed Zak Crawley for a duck, while Deep took out Ben Duckett and Joe Root, putting England under immense pressure.

Historic Opportunity for India

With their commanding performance over the four days, India, led by Shubman Gill, stands on the verge of making history at Edgbaston. The team has never won a Test match at this venue since 1967, and they now have a chance to break a 58-year winless streak. As they head into the final day with seven wickets in hand, England faces a daunting challenge against a motivated Indian bowling attack.

Aiming for a Historic Win

Shubman Gill has the opportunity to achieve what many past Indian captains, including legends like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, could not—leading India to their first Test victory at Edgbaston.