Akash Deep produced a fast-bowling performance for the ages, claiming a 10-wicket match haul as India crushed England by 336 runs in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Edgbaston. The emphatic victory not only levelled the five-match series 1-1 but also secured India’s biggest away Test win by runs.
As the Indian players celebrated under grey Birmingham skies, England captain Ben Stokes pinpointed two moments that, in his words, “decided the match.”
Two moments. Having them at 200 for 5, we were really happy there. Not being able to burst them open, and then being 80 for 5 ourselves — it’s tough to scrape it back from there.
India had slumped to 211/5 before Shubman Gill (269) and Ravindra Jadeja (141) took the game away with a 203-run partnership that propelled the visitors to 587. England responded with 407, led by Jamie Smith’s unbeaten 184, but still conceded a 180-run lead.
Stokes defended his decision to bowl first after winning the toss. “When you have them on 200 for 5, you’d take that any day,” he said. “But as the game got deeper and deeper, it suited India more than us.”
Gill, celebrating his first Test win as India captain, credited meticulous preparation. “All the things we spoke about after the last game, we were spot on,” he said at the presentation. “On this wicket, we knew that if we got 400-500 runs, it would be enough. Not every game will be like Headingley.”
England’s hopes of survival vanished under Akash Deep’s relentless accuracy and movement. After removing overnight batters Ollie Pope and Harry Brook early on the final morning, he returned to end England’s resistance by dismissing Brydon Carse for the last wicket — fittingly caught by Gill.
He was magnificent. Akash hit the right lengths and moved the ball both ways. It was difficult to face him on this pitch.
Akash returned figures of 6-99 in the second innings, completing a remarkable match analysis of 10-164. He became only the second Indian to claim 10 wickets in a Test in England after Chetan Sharma in 1986 — also at Edgbaston.
India came into the match under pressure, trailing 0-1 and missing Jasprit Bumrah. But their bowlers delivered collectively, with Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar each taking a wicket in the second innings.
Despite rain delaying play on the fifth morning, India’s attack needed less than two sessions to seal the win. Washington Sundar removed Stokes for 33 on the stroke of lunch, reducing England to 153/6.
Jamie Smith battled bravely with a 99-ball 88, while Carse’s counter-attack delayed the inevitable. But the gulf between the teams was underlined when Akash ended England’s innings in the 69th over, triggering wild celebrations.
Not every day you bowl like this in England. I just wanted to hit good areas and let the ball do its work.
India’s dominant display erased the disappointment of Leeds and made them the first Asian side to win a Test at Edgbaston. The teams now head to Lord’s for the third Test with the series tantalisingly poised.
Brief Scores: India 587 & 427/6 decl beat England 407 & 271 (Jamie Smith 88; Akash Deep 6-99) by 336 runs.
