India tightened their grip on the second Test against England at Edgbaston as captain Shubman Gill and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja forged a monumental sixth-wicket partnership, propelling the visitors to a formidable 419/6 at lunch on Day 2.
Resuming from an overnight score of 310/5, the duo added 109 runs in the morning session, with Gill reaching a career-best 168 not out and Jadeja contributing a resilient 89 before falling to a short ball from Josh Tongue. Their 203-run stand was instrumental in steering India out of a mid-innings wobble and into a position of dominance.
Gill, who had already scored a century on Day 1, continued to bat with poise and authority. His innings, laced with 18 boundaries and a six, showcased a blend of classical strokeplay and modern innovation, including a reverse sweep off spinner Shoaib Bashir. This knock marked his first 150-plus score in Test cricket, reinforcing his credentials as India’s long-term batting mainstay.
Jadeja, walking in at a precarious 211/5, provided the perfect foil to his skipper. Mixing caution with aggression, he struck 10 fours and a six in his 137-ball stay. His ability to absorb pressure and rotate strike frustrated the English bowlers, who struggled to extract life from a placid surface under bright sunshine.
However, his innings ended just before lunch when a well-directed bouncer from Tongue forced a glove through to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, denying Jadeja a well-deserved century.
England’s bowlers toiled with little reward. Chris Woakes was the most effective, returning figures of 2 for 59, while Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue claimed a wicket apiece. The hosts’ short-ball tactics yielded limited success, and their frustration was evident in a brief on-field exchange involving Jadeja’s footwork near the danger area, which drew umpire intervention.
India’s decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah and field a lighter bowling attack places added importance on the first-innings total. With Washington Sundar joining Gill at the crease, the visitors will aim to push beyond 500 to compensate for their relatively inexperienced bowling unit.
The Edgbaston pitch, showing early signs of wear with visible cracks and footmarks, could bring spinners into play later in the match — a factor that may benefit India’s two-pronged spin attack.
