Shubman Gill and Akash Deep (Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com, @BCCI/X.com)
India ends Day 2 in full command after skipper Shubman Gill's magnificent 269 helped them post a massive total of 587, with Ravindra Jadeja scoring 89. Following which, Akash Deep picked two out of three wickets to derail England further as the stumps were called when they had 77/3 on the board, still trailing by 510 runs.
Here, we take a look at the highlights of Day 2 of the second Test match, as it panned out at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Thursday, July 3.
Shubman Gill Shuts His Critics Down With A Majestic 269 As Ravindra Jadeja Provides Ample Support
Resuming day 2's play, with India having 310 runs on the board for the loss of five wickets, skipper Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja walked out to the centre on their respective scores of 140* and 41*, respectively. The duo resumed the day as they brought up their 100-run partnership, after previously ending day one on a 99-run stand.
Following this, Ravindra Jadeja got to his half-century off 80 deliveries, as England fell under tremendous pressure from the Indian batters. On the other hand, Gill kept the run scorecard ticking with boundaries after boundaries, as he kept smashing the English bowlers one after another.
Later, he got to his 150 off 263 deliveries and then found a few more boundaries against almost every bowler that was brought into the attack, including Joe Root, Harry Brook, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir. As the runs were ticking, India brought up their 400 with Jadeja smashing Bashir for a six down the ground. And later, Jadeja and Gill brought up their 200-run partnership, which further highlighted England's struggle. However, not long after, Jadeja fell to a delivery that got extra lift from Josh Tongue, and he was caught in the slips for 89, failing to reach his century yet again.
India Lose Lower Order In A Hurry Yet Again
Nonetheless, India kept their attack going with 419 runs on the board for the loss of six wickets at lunch. Relentlessly, Shubman Gill kept his mojo in check as he took on the opposition without any fuss. On the other hand, he was joined by Washington Sundar, who, after getting some heat from Tongue with his explosive deliveries, took on the charge and smashed the bowlers into the stands. After getting into his zone, Gill then reached his double century as he shattered major records on the way. With runs flowing, the duo of Sundar and Gill brought up the 100-run partnership, taking India closer to another massive total.
However, just after that, Sundar was cleaned up by Joe Root with a beautiful delivery. By the time of tea, India were 564 for 7 with Gill still batting on 265. However, the game changed suddenly after Gill reached 269 and departed, with Tongue adding another wicket to his tally. Following this, India, just like in the previous game, lost their lower order in a hurry, being bowled out for 587 with Gill as the top scorer. At one stage, they were 558 for just six wickets down. Bashir claimed three in the end, with Tongue and Chris Woakes picking two apiece.
Akash Deep Does Magic With The Ball As England Lose Top Three
Now, with the final session rolling, England tried to start off positively, but lost their opener, Ben Duckett, to Akash Deep in the third over, courtesy of an outstanding catch by Shubman Gill at third slip. While Ollie Pope became the second victim, as he fell on the consecutive delivery, again edging one to the keeper, sending him back to the pavilion for a golden duck.
Following them, Zak Crawley became the third player to be dismissed on the night in the eighth over, courtesy of Mohammad Siraj, who saw his back for 19 after getting him to edge one to first slip, where Karun Nair takes a clean catch.
With three wickets down for 25, the duo of Joe Root (18*) and Harry Brook (30*) took the responsibility and kept batting till the end of the day, taking England to a decent score of 77 after the end of 20 overs, when stumps were called, as England still trail by 510 runs by the end of Day 2.
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