NEW DELHI: After a rain-delayed start, Day 5 of the second Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test finally resumed at Edgbaston, with India eyeing seven wickets to seal a historic win — a feat they’ve never achieved at this venue in Test cricket. And it didn’t take long for India’s pace spearhead Akash Deep to strike.Bowling his second over of the first session, Akash Deep cleaned up Ollie Pope, sending the off-stump cartwheeling with a beauty that left the batter stunned. The pacer leaped in celebration and let out a roar before being mobbed by jubilant teammates.Akash Deep vs Ollie Pope in Tests:3 innings20 balls15 runs conceded3 dismissalsThe fiery right-arm pacer wasn’t done.
In his very next over, he delivered a deadly nip-backer to dismiss Harry Brook for 23. A loud LBW appeal followed, and the umpire raised his finger without hesitation, putting India firmly in command.Earlier, India posted a second-innings total of 427/6 declared, setting England an improbable target of 608 runs. The foundation was laid by skipper Shubman Gill, who followed up his first-innings 269 with a blistering 161 off 162 balls, including 13 fours and eight sixes.Gill shared crucial partnerships throughout the innings. He added 110 runs with Rishabh Pant (65 off 58 balls, 8 fours, 3 sixes) for the fourth wicket and stitched a 175-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja, who remained unbeaten on 69 (118 balls, 5 fours, 1 six).India’s mammoth lead of 180 runs in the first innings gave them a strong platform, and with Akash Deep breathing fire on Day 5, they moved closer to a series-levelling win at Edgbaston — a venue that has historically been a fortress for England.
