Birmingham, July 6 (UNI) India closed in on victory in the second Test at EDGBASTON today as England collapsed to 153 for 6 at lunch on Day 5, still requiring an improbable 455 more runs to win with just 55.3 overs remaining in the match.
Despite several rain breaks and delays due to a wet outfield early in the day, India’s bowlers seized control once play resumed.
Akash Deep led the charge with an inspired spell that broke the English backbone. The pacer first struck in the 19th over, removing Ollie Pope for 24 with a sharp delivery that reared awkwardly and deflected onto the stumps. Two overs later, he trapped Harry Brook LBW with a fierce nip-backer — a decision upheld on review as the ball was shown to be clipping the top of middle.
England, who resumed on 72/3 after multiple interruptions due to rain and wet ground, briefly showed resistance through captain Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith. The pair stitched together a 50-run stand in 80 balls, with Stokes showcasing his usual aggression, smacking a series of boundaries off Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and Akash Deep.
Smith too showed flashes of promise, confidently driving and punching deliveries through the covers and down the ground. But India persisted with tight lines, smart field placements, and subtle variations in pace and angle.
Just when England hoped to go into the break with Stokes still at the crease, Washington Sundar delivered a killer blow in the final over before lunch. His drift and dip deceived Stokes, who was struck on the pad while defending forward.
Umpire Sharfuddoula, who had a commendable morning, gave it out LBW — a decision that stood firm after review. Stokes walked back for 33 off 73 balls, leaving England with a mountain to climb and few resources left to scale it.
The Indian bowling unit — spearheaded by Akash Deep’s early breakthroughs and Sundar’s timely strike — kept England under constant pressure. With six wickets down and the tail exposed, the hosts now rely on fading weather interruptions to avoid a certain defeat.
India’s dominance, built on a 608-run second innings total and relentless bowling, puts them firmly in the driver’s seat to square the series 1-1. The weather may still play a part, but England’s chances of survival look increasingly bleak.
