Perfect English summer for Akash Deep; India scripts historic first-ever win at Edgbaston

BIRMINGHAM: A first-ever win for an Indian cricket team at Edgbaston Cricket Ground helped the visitors level the five-match test series 1-1 against England. Chasing a target of 608 runs, India celebrated a massive 336-run victory by bowling out England for 271 on the final day of the second Test. Pacer Akash Deep, who took six wickets for 99 runs, crushed the hosts in the second innings.

India's performance at Edgbaston was underpinned by a memorable performance by skipper Shubman Gill, who scored a double century (269) in the first innings and a century (161) in the second innings.

Gill was joined by Yashasvi Jaiswal (87), Ravindra Jadeja (89), Washington Sundar (42), Karun Nair (31) and Rishabh Pant (25) as India posted their first-innings record score of 587 runs at this ground. In reply, England were struggling at 84/5 at one stage, but Jamie Smith (184*) and Harry Brooks (158) added 303 runs for the sixth wicket to take the total to 407. Siraj took six wickets.

India, who were leading by 180 runs in the second innings, declared at 427/6 on the strength of KL Rahul (55), Rishabh Pant (65) and Jadeja (69*). With this, England set a target of 608 runs to win.

The first two hours of the final day were lost due to rain. England came out to bat at 72/3 when the rain stopped on the final day. India's enthusiasm went sky-high when Akash Deep dismissed Ollie Pope (24) in the fourth over of the match.

The big win from the young Indian squad will give solace for Gambhir, the head coach, who had his position questioned by critics following a series of defeats and underwhelming performances.