Mohammad Azharuddin On 2nd Test: 'Looking Forward To A Win By The Indian Team'
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin praised captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant for their exceptional performances, expressing optimism that India could secure victory on the final day of the Birmingham Test at Edgbaston against England on Sunday.
Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep once again troubled England's top order with the new ball, leaving India just seven wickets away from levelling the series after the fourth day, which was dominated by the visitors at Edgbaston on Saturday. England posted 72/3 in 16 overs, requiring 556 more runs to win, with Harry Brook and Ollie Pope not out at 15(15) and 24(44) respectively. India needs to take seven more wickets on the final day to even the series at 1-1 in the five-match series.
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How India Performed In 2nd Test
Gill accelerated in the second innings, scoring a remarkable 161 off 162 balls, with 13 fours and eight sixes, while Pant contributed a crucial 65 off 58 balls, featuring eight fours and three sixes.
England chose to field first. After dismissing KL Rahul (2) early, an 80-run partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal (87 off 107 balls, with 13 fours) and Karun Nair (31 off 50 balls, with five fours) helped India gain a foothold in the match. Gill formed valuable partnerships of 203 runs with Ravindra Jadeja (89 off 137 balls, with 10 fours and a six) and 144 runs with Washington Sundar (42 off 103 balls, with three fours and a six), propelling India to 587, with Gill himself scoring 269 off 387 balls, including 30 fours and three sixes. Shoaib Bashir (3/167) was the pick of the bowlers for England, while Chris Woakes and Josh Tongue claimed two wickets each.
In England's first innings, India had them struggling at 84/5. However, a 303-run partnership between Harry Brook (158 off 234 balls, with 17 fours and a six) and wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith (184* off 207 balls, with 21 fours and four sixes) put India on the back foot. Yet, Siraj (6/70) and Akash Deep (4/88) made the most of the new ball, dismissing the last five wickets for 20 runs, bowling England out for 407 and securing a 180-run lead.
India's response featured a swift half-century partnership between Jaiswal (28 off 22 balls, with six fours) and KL Rahul, who continued his good form with 55 off 84 balls, including 10 boundaries. A 110-run stand for the fourth wicket between Rishabh Pant (65 off 58 balls, with eight fours and three sixes) and Gill increased the pressure, and Gill then shared a 175-run partnership with Jadeja, scoring 161 off 162 balls, with 13 fours and eight sixes. Jadeja remained unbeaten on 69* off 118 balls, with five fours and a six. India declared at 427/6, setting a daunting target of 608 runs for England to win.
England ended the fourth day at 72/3, with Harry Brook (15*) and Ollie Pope (24*) unbeaten.
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