A truly thrilling Day 3 saw a mammoth partnership from Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, but India paceman Mohammed Siraj was the last one laughing.
Starting the day on 77/3 and 510 runs behind, England were already feeling the pressure and Siraj turned it up in his first over of the day. The seamer got a tickle down legside to get Joe Root, then produced a snorter the very next ball that grabbed the edge of captain Ben Stokes' bat for two in two, leaving the hosts reeling at 84/5.
But Harry Brook and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith had other ideas. The swashbuckling Smith took the attack to the Indian seamers, taking a particular liking to Prasidh Krishna. Smith clobbered the right-armer for 22 in one over, almost reaching his half-century.
Smith kept his foot on the pedal and notched up his century in just 80 balls on the cusp of lunch with England now brawling at 249/5. The counter-attack continued after the break, with Brook bringing up his hundred at a more measured pace.
The pair seemed destined to bat into eternity as they passed the 300-run partnership mark. But the second new ball ended their runfest. Akash Deep seamed one through Brook's bat and pad off a length, rattled the stumps and the hosts were 387/6.
With the stand broken, Siraj smelled blood. The seamer, already on three wickets, cleaned up England's tail. Their final five wickets would combine for just 20 runs and capitulate in 7.2 overs. Despite Brook and Smith's epic vigil, Siraj's six-for handed India a healthy 180 lead as the day came to a close. Smith was left stranded on an impressive 184, an innings that had the Edgbaston faithful in full song.
India openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul made a steady start, bringing up a half-century stand before Josh Tongue came on as first change and tasted success in just four balls. He trapped Jaiswal in front and while the batter's review seemed to have been indicated after the 15-second timer, it was upheld. But the 23-year-old was out in any case.
Karun Nair came to the crease and India ended the day's play on 64/1, a sizable 244 runs ahead od their hosts.
Shubman Gill's colossal 269 runs powered India to a commanding 587, setting the stage for a ruthless bowling display that left England reeling at 77-3 after day two of the second Test at Edgbaston.
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.
Five clubs, including Chelsea, have set their sights on Liverpool's midfielder Harvey Elliott, who appears poised to leave Anfield this summer following a standout performance at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
Ben Duckett scored 149 to lead England to a five-wicket victory in the first Test against India at Headingley as the hosts chased down a 371-run target in the final session on the fifth day.
