By stumps on Saturday, England found themselves placed at 72 for 3 in just 16 overs, still a mammoth 556 runs adrift of an improbable win target. Harry Brook remained unbeaten on a brisk 15 off 15 balls, alongside Ollie Pope, who was holding firm on 24 off 44
Provided the rain relents, India will fancy their chances of wrapping up the innings on the final day and drawing level (Pic: BCCI)
Rain played spoilsport at Edgbaston on Sunday, delaying the start of play on the final day of the second Test between England and India. The weather interruption came as a dampener to India’s hopes of clinching a series-levelling win, after they had thoroughly outclassed the hosts on the fourth day.
By stumps on Saturday, England found themselves placed at 72 for 3 in just 16 overs, still a mammoth 556 runs adrift of an improbable win target. Harry Brook remained unbeaten on a brisk 15 off 15 balls, alongside Ollie Pope, who was holding firm on 24 off 44. India, leading the charge with relentless pace, will be hoping for clear skies and a full day’s play to pick up the seven remaining wickets needed to square the five-match series at 1-1.
Earlier, India’s pacers made decisive inroads under overcast skies. Mohammed Siraj struck the initial blow, dismissing Zak Crawley for a seven-ball duck. Crawley, lured into driving a delivery that demanded restraint, paid the price for his ambition. Reaching out away from his body, he nicked the ball to substitute fielder Sai Sudharsan, who made no mistake, leaving Crawley in stunned disbelief.
Akash Deep, brimming with confidence, nearly opened his account immediately. The first ball of his third over whizzed past Ben Duckett’s bat, prompting a loud appeal and an initial verdict in the bowler’s favour. However, Duckett reviewed without hesitation, and replays confirmed a clear gap between bat and pad. Having survived the scare, Duckett continued in typically aggressive fashion, but his counterattack was short-lived. Akash delivered a sharp inducker that found the inside edge of Duckett’s bat, cannoning into the stumps and sending the left-hander back after a lively 25 off just 15 deliveries.
Joe Root then joined Pope in an attempt to stabilise the innings. Yet Akash, showcasing why he is already regarded among the finest young exponents of seam bowling, produced a delivery of sheer class. Tempted by the inviting length, Root aimed to work it through the leg side, only to see the ball sneak past his bat and crash into off stump. The former England captain could only look back in dismay at the shattered timber, walking off with a mere six runs to his name.
With Brook and Pope managing to see out the remainder of the day, England limped to 72 for 3 at the close. However, India’s ruthless burst with the new ball has left them firmly in command. Provided the rain relents, the Gill-led side will fancy their chances of wrapping up the innings on the final day and drawing level in what promises to be a captivating series.
(With agency inputs)
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