Shubman Gill hit a hundred as India reached 310-5 on day one of the second Test against England at Edgbaston after Ben Stokes had no hesitation in inserting the tourists once again following the thrilling victory chasing in the series opener at Headingley.
Stokes had put India in to bat in Leeds a little under two weeks ago and that decision was pored over after his opponents piled on 359-3 on day one, only for England to have the last laugh by pulling off a chase of 371 – their second-highest in Tests – on the final day.
The home captain was not dissuaded by the sun starting to poke through around 10 minutes before the toss in Birmingham on Wednesday and was rewarded for bowling first when the impressive Chris Woakes forced KL Rahul (2) to chop on in the ninth over.
However, important knocks from visiting skipper Gill (114no off 216 balls) – who notched a patient seventh Test century and second in as many games since assuming the captaincy – and Yashasvi Jaiswal (87 off 107), which were constructed on a slow pitch, meant India were happy at stumps, particularly having been reduced to 211-5.
Gill and Ravindra Jadeja (41no) have shared an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 99 after joining forces following two wickets for three runs from 208-3, including that of the dangerous Rishabh Pant for 25.
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Watch the moment India captain Shubman Gill clinched a 199-ball century – his seventh ton in Tests – with a swept four off England’s Joe Root
Jaiswal was not happy, though, when he fell 13 runs short of what would have been a sixth Test ton, fourth versus England and second of this series following his knock of 101 at Headingley – the left-hander livid after chasing a wide ball from Stokes and edging behind.
And ex-India head coach Ravi Shastri was not happy either when it was announced in the morning that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah would sit out the game as he manages his workload.
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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri was left surprised by the tourists’ decision to rest star seamer Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah has committed to playing three of the five Tests after a back injury last winter and will be absent when England, in all likelihood, attempt another chase later in the match at the venue where they knocked off a national-record 378 against India in 2022.
More to follow
Watch day two of the second Test between England and India lve on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10.15am Thursday (11am first ball) or stream without a contract.
England vs India – results and schedule
All games at 11am UK and Ireland; all live on Sky Sports
- First Test (Headingley) – England won by five wickets
- Second Test (Edgbaston): July 2-6
- Third Test (Lord’s): July 10-14
- Fourth Test (Emirates Old Trafford): July 23-27
- Fifth Test (The Kia Oval): July 31-August 4
