EDGBASTON — India captain Shubman Gill produced a masterful century to anchor his team’s innings against a determined England bowling attack on the opening day of the second Test at Edgbaston, finishing unbeaten on 104 as India reached 278/6 at stumps.
Gill’s patient 211-ball knock, his first Test hundred in over a year, held India’s innings together after England’s seamers exploited early swing and uneven bounce to reduce the visitors to 112/4. Speaking after the day’s play, Gill acknowledged the challenge: "The pitch had a bit of everything—swing early on, inconsistent bounce later. I had to trust my defense and capitalize when they strayed."
England’s Early Dominance
England’s seamers, led by James Anderson (2/35) and debutant Josh Tongue (2/66), struck early blows after Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl. Anderson removed Rohit Sharma (14) with a trademark outswinger, while Tongue claimed the prized wicket of Virat Kohli (22) with a sharp bouncer. At 63/3, India were under pressure.
Key moments in England’s early dominance:
- Anderson’s 688th Test wicket, drawing him level with Glenn McGrath for most by a fast bowler.
- Tongue’s fiery spell, hitting 90+ mph consistently and troubling Kohli with extra bounce.
- Stokes’ aggressive field placements, including four slips and a gully for Anderson.
Gill’s Gritty Revival
Gill, batting at No. 3, weathered the storm with a mix of caution and controlled aggression. He shared a 92-run stand with Ajinkya Rahane (35) to steady the innings, then accelerated after tea with crisp drives and pulls. His century came off 189 balls, punctuated by 12 fours and a six off Joe Root.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain praised Gill’s adaptability on Sky Sports: "This wasn’t the flamboyant Gill we see in T20s. He shelved the flashy shots, played late, and showed maturity beyond his 23 years."
Late Wickets Keep England Hopeful
England struck back in the final session, with Stokes dismissing Rahane and Stuart Broad removing Ravindra Jadeja (17) with a seaming delivery. At 230/6, India risked squandering Gill’s effort, but wicketkeeper KS Bharat (26*) provided stubborn support in an unbroken 48-run stand.
Broad, who became the fifth bowler to reach 600 Test wickets earlier in the series, admitted frustration: "Gill played brilliantly, but we created chances. The second new ball tomorrow morning could be decisive."
Day Two Preview
With India’s tail exposed, England will eye early breakthroughs to restrict the total below 350. Gill, however, remains the key obstacle. His ability to convert this into a big score—potentially a double-century—could dictate the match’s course.
Weather forecasts suggest overcast conditions on Day 2, which may aid England’s seamers. Stokes hinted at tactical adjustments: "We’ll review our lengths overnight. Gill’s strong on the drive, so we might attack his stumps more."
Stat of the Day: Gill’s century was the first by an Indian No. 3 in England since Rahul Dravid’s 146 at The Oval in 2011. His knock also marked the slowest of his Test career (strike rate 49.29), underscoring the match situation’s demands.
As the teams left the field, the match hung in balance. India’s lower order must support Gill, while England’s bowlers—particularly Anderson and Tongue—will relish another crack under cloudy skies. Day 2 promises a pivotal battle in this finely poised contest.