India vs England 2nd Test 2025: Shubman Gill’s Double Ton Powers India’s Edgbaston Dominance

Match Overview

• Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
• Dates: July 2–5, 2025
• Toss: England won the toss and chose to bowl first
• Result: India won by 471 runs
• Series Status: Five-match Test series now level at 1–1

India made a powerful statement at Edgbaston by bouncing back in style after their defeat in the opening Test. Under the fearless leadership of Shubman Gill, who produced a once-in-a-generation performance with the bat, India outclassed England across all departments.

The Edgbaston pitch, which initially offered movement for pacers, turned into a batting paradise for disciplined stroke-makers. India’s batters capitalized perfectly, and their bowlers backed it up with relentless pressure, swing, and smart field placements.

With this massive win, India has tied the series 1–1, completely flipping the narrative and taking back control of the five-Test series. The momentum now shifts firmly in their favor as the teams head into the third Test at Trent Bridge.

Shubman Gill – Leading from the Front

Shubman Gill, India’s newly appointed Test captain, delivered a career-defining performance at Edgbaston that will be remembered for generations. Displaying a perfect mix of maturity, aggression, and technical brilliance, Gill scored a monumental 269 runs in the first innings and followed it up with another 161 runs in the second, underlining his leadership with the bat.

Facing a quality England attack under overcast conditions, Gill paced his innings masterfully. His strokeplay was both elegant and dominant—driving through the covers, pulling short balls with authority, and rotating strike at will. His performance not only set up India’s massive win but also cemented his legacy in Indian Test cricket history.

Historic Records Achieved by Shubman Gill

• First Indian Test captain to score a double century in England
• Highest score by an Indian captain in Test cricket – surpassing Virat Kohli’s 254*
• Highest individual score by an Indian outside Asia – surpassing Tendulkar’s 241*
• Only the third Indian (after Sunil Gavaskar & Rahul Dravid) to hit a Test double century in England
• Total of 430 runs in a single Test match – among the top 5 highest aggregate scores in Test history

“It’s not just about the runs—it’s about belief,”

With this performance, Gill has firmly taken the reins of Indian Test cricket, showing he is not just a prolific opener but also a tactically astute leader with the temperament to succeed on the world stage.

Middle-Order Support – Jaiswal & Jadeja Shine

While Shubman Gill was the architect of India’s batting dominance, he was brilliantly supported by the aggressive flair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and the solid composure of Ravindra Jadeja. Their contributions ensured India built a formidable total and dictated the tempo of the match from Day 1.

Yashasvi Jaiswal – The Aggressor Up Front

Jaiswal continued his impressive form by smashing a fluent 87 off 107 balls. Taking on the English new-ball attack with intent, he set the tone early with crisp drives and confident footwork. His fearless approach blunted England’s seamers and laid the foundation for a massive total.

Ravindra Jadeja – The Anchor and Enforcer

At the other end, Ravindra Jadeja displayed maturity and tactical patience with his well-crafted 89 off 145 deliveries. Coming in after a minor wobble, Jadeja stabilized the innings and partnered Gill in a crucial 203-run stand that took the game away from England.

India ended their first innings at a towering 587 all out. With the follow-on enforced, the batters piled on more pressure, adding 428/4 declared in the second innings — setting England a record chase target of 608 runs.

This well-rounded batting performance showcased not just India’s top-order firepower, but also the strength of its middle-order—a critical factor in winning Tests overseas.

Bowling Brilliance – Siraj Leads, Akash Deep Impresses

India’s dominant display at Edgbaston wasn’t just about the runs—it was backed by a ruthless bowling unit that executed the plan to perfection. While the pacers did the damage up front, the spinners maintained relentless control in the middle overs, setting the stage for a complete team performance.

Mohammed Siraj – Match-Winning Spell

Mohammed Siraj delivered a career-best performance with figures of 6/70 in England’s first innings. Exploiting the reverse swing on offer, Siraj bowled with fiery intensity and laser-sharp accuracy. He accounted for key wickets, including Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, and wiped out the lower order in quick time.

His ability to generate late movement, combined with controlled aggression, gave India the breakthrough it needed to tighten its grip on the match. It was a classic example of overseas fast bowling excellence from a rising Indian pace leader.

Akash Deep – Early Impact, Big Moments

In only his second Test match, Akash Deep continued to impress with the new ball. He dismissed both openers—Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley—with deliveries that seamed just enough to catch the edge or sneak through the gate.

His tidy spell up front built pressure from one end, allowing Siraj to attack from the other. Deep’s ability to hold a line and extract bounce made him a key contributor in India’s bowling strategy.

Spin Control – Kuldeep Yadav & Washington Sundar

While Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar didn’t take many wickets, their contribution was no less valuable. Bowling in tandem, they:

• Maintained tight economic rates
• Dried up scoring opportunities
• Executed field traps set by Captain Shubman Gill

Their consistency frustrated England’s middle order, forcing them into risky shots and eventually into collapses. It was a demonstration of how spin, when used strategically, can dictate terms even on non-turning tracks.

This well-rounded bowling performance showcased India’s bench strength and tactical depth—an encouraging sign for the rest of the series.

England’s Performance – Bright Spots, Bigger Gaps

Despite entering the second Test at Edgbaston with confidence after their opening win, England struggled to match India’s intensity and execution across all departments. There were isolated moments of resistance, but overall, the home side found themselves overwhelmed by India’s dominance.

Zak Crawley – A Lone Warrior

Zak Crawley was one of the few positives for England with a composed 74-run knock in the first innings. He countered the new ball with elegant drives and looked set for a big score. However, he lacked partners who could stick around and build a platform.

Top-Order Collapse – Root, Bairstow & Pope Falter

The experienced trio of Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, and Ollie Pope failed to capitalize on their starts. Each got into double figures but failed to convert, exposing England’s middle order to India’s relentless pace and spin attack. Their inability to withstand pressure was a key turning point.

Captaincy & Bowling Shortfalls

Ben Stokes showed flashes of tactical sharpness. his decision to bowl first was understandable given conditions, but his bowling unit couldn’t back him up. The pace attack, led by James Anderson and Mark Wood, lacked penetration, while young spinner Rehan Ahmed leaked crucial runs without troubling the batters.

England’s Innings Summary

• First Innings: 407 all out – fell short of India’s 587 despite decent starts
• Second Innings: 136 all out – completely collapsed under scoreboard pressure

The 471-run defeat marks England’s second-worst home loss in Test cricket history. Their inability to adapt to the conditions, maintain partnerships, and challenge India’s strategy was glaring.

For a team priding itself on an aggressive “Bazball” approach, this performance raised serious questions about the depth and flexibility of their Test squad. England must now regroup ahead of the third Test, with urgent attention needed on their batting approach and bowling balance.

Tactical Mastery & Leadership from Gill

Shubman Gill didn’t just shine with the bat; his tactical decisions and leadership maturity were equally instrumental in India’s commanding win at Edgbaston. Taking charge in only his second Test as captain, Gill showcased a calm yet assertive style of leadership that impressed cricketing veterans and analysts alike.

Strategic Rotation – Resting Bumrah, Testing Bench Strength

One of Gill’s boldest calls was resting pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to test India’s bench strength. It proved fruitful, as Mohammed Siraj</strong and Akash Deep rose to the occasion and delivered match-defining spells.

Smart Use of Spin on Day 3

Recognizing the subtle signs of turn on the Edgbaston pitch, Gill introduced Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar early on Day 3. Their disciplined bowling tightened the screws and denied England any chance of momentum in their second innings.

Precision Field Placements

Gill set aggressive, unconventional field placements that created pressure zones, especially for England’s middle order. His close-in fielders capitalized on miscues, while his rotated slips and short mid-wickets cut off scoring angles effectively.

Timely Declaration

Declaring India’s second innings at 428/4, Gill gave his bowlers enough time and scoreboard pressure to force a result. It was a measured call that reflected confidence in his team’s bowling strength and game awareness.

Applause from Legends

Cricketing icons like Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and Ricky Ponting praised Gill’s composure, decision-making, and leadership clarity. Many experts now believe India has found a long-term red-ball captain who can deliver both runs and results.

This Test wasn’t just a personal milestone for Gill, it was a statement of intent as India’s future leader in the longest format.

What This Victory Means

India’s emphatic 471-run win at Edgbaston has dramatically altered the landscape of the five-match Test series. With the series now levelled, the visitors have seized both momentum and psychological advantage heading into the crucial third Test.

Momentum Swing Series Now 1–1

After trailing 0–1, India has bounced back in dominant fashion. The team’s morale is sky-high, and the playing XI now looks settled and balanced. Young guns are firing, veterans are delivering, and confidence is visible in every department.

The series stands evenly poised, but all momentum now resides with India, especially witåh a third Test scheduled at a venue known to assist seam and spin alike.

Leadership Secured – Gill’s Arrival as Test Captain

Shubman Gill’s breakout performance as captain—both with the bat and in his decision-making—has silenced doubters and excited Indian fans. His calm demeanor, sharp cricketing brain, and ability to inspire teammates point to a bright future for India in red-ball cricket.

With Rohit Sharma stepping aside from Test duties, Gill’s appointment now feels not just transitional, but transformational.

Series Outlook – All Eyes on Trent Bridge

With the third Test scheduled at Trent Bridge, the focus now shifts to whether India can ride this wave to take the lead. Historically, a venue that suits swing bowling, India’s bowling unit, especially Siraj and Akash Deep, will be keen to replicate their Edgbaston heroics.

England, meanwhile, faces tough questions: batting collapses, bowling depth, and team balance all need urgent attention. If they fail to respond quickly, the series could slip away fast.

This Victory Sends a Clear Message

India’s emphatic triumph at Edgbaston was more than just a showcase of Shubman Gill’s batting brilliance it was a comprehensive statement of intent by Indian cricket.
This was a win carved out through collective resilience, smart captaincy, and squad depth that proves India’s dominance isn’t dependent on just a few stars.

With the bench strength stepping up, a confident new leader at the helm, and tactical discipline across all departments, this Test marks a potential turning point in the series.
India now carries the momentum, belief, and strategic edge heading into the crucial third Test at Trent Bridge.

As the battle between two iconic cricketing nations intensifies, this win lays the groundwork for what could become a series-defining turnaround in Indian Test cricket history.