The curious case of India resting chief destroyer Jasprit Bumrah
India choosing to rest their premier strike bowler Jasprit Bumrah in the midst of a vital Test series has left many cricket fans scratching their heads.
Shubman Gill's epic 269 sparks India's dominance as England crumble at Edgbaston
With the hosts staring down a 510-run deficit, Ben Stokes' side faces their steepest challenge yet to keep the series lead.
Gill, resuming on 114, crafted a masterclass, posting the highest score by an Indian batter in England and the highest by an Indian captain worldwide.
His 203-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja (89) steadied India before a 144-run partnership with Washington Sundar (67) crushed England's spirits.
India's bowlers then seized control, with Akash Deep, stepping in for the rested Jasprit Bumrah, striking twice in an over. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, heroes of England's first Test win, fell for a duck and 1 respectively, both caught in the slips.
Zak Crawley's loose drive off Mohammed Siraj added to England's woes, leaving them tottering.
Harry Brook's unbeaten 30 showed fight, but his skittish approach, surviving an lbw review, lofting a six, and nearly playing on, hinted at vulnerability.
Joe Root, unbeaten on 18, remains England's hope, but India's attack, finding 1.1 degrees of swing compared to England's 0.6, looks relentless.
KL Rahul and Karun Nair held sharp catches, a marked improvement from India's dropped chances in the first Test.
England have chased improbable totals under Stokes, winning three times after conceding 500-plus. Yet, India's mammoth total—only once surpassed in a losing cause, by New Zealand in 2017, tests even their bold philosophy.
With the pitch still good but India's bowlers extracting more zip, Stokes' no-draw mantra faces its ultimate trial.
Second Test, Edgbaston (day two of five)
India 587: Gill 269, Jadeja 89, Sundar 67; Bashir 3-167
England 77-3: Brook 30*, Root 18*; Deep 2-36
England trail by 510 runs
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