Shubman Gill's Heroics Drive India towards Colossal Lead against England

Day 4 of the second Test at Edgbaston saw India consolidate its position in the game as Shubman Gill delivered a breathtaking performance with the bat. He scored his second hundred of the Test and another century to his name in this match. This incredible feat put him in the company of Sunil Gavaskar the legendary opener as the sole Indians to achieve a double century and hundred in the same Test match. This powerful display saw India take its overall advantage to a whopping 484 runs by Tea. The momentum gained pace steadily during the course of the day as Gill received solid support from some of his teammates such as Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja. At Tea India was 304 for 4 comfortably.

The second session witnessed a brisk partnership between Pant and Gill adding 110 runs in a matter of time. Pant didn't waste any time in getting settled and played a confident late cut off Shoaib Bashir to score a boundary. Gill then attacked Josh Tongue in authoritative style hitting a six over fine leg and two thumping fours. This phase also saw Gill going past Virat Kohli’s record for most runs in a debut series as India Test captain. As the shots flowed Gill’s fifty came up in just 57 balls and he looked unstoppable. Pant was equally aggressive reaching his fifty off only 48 balls with a single off Tongue before launching a towering six over long-on which helped India cross the 400-run lead mark. The pair took their century stand when Pant swept Bashir for four. But Pant's fighting knock was cut short soon when he got caught at long-off after losing his grip on the bat once again.

Gill kept the scoring going and tore Bashir apart with a boundary and a six as he charged into the 80s. He also surpassed Gavaskar's record of 344 runs in a single Test by an Indian, which was recorded against the West Indies way back in 1971. Jadeja remained defensive at the other end while India progressed steadily over the 450-run lead mark. Gill approached his century with singles and doubles in a hurry and a powerful sweep for four off Joe Root. He demonstrated immense attentiveness and vigor in the middle between wickets as Jadeja also found his pace sending a Bashir ball through the off side for four. When India crossed the 300 mark Gill followed suit with his second century in the match to become only the third Indian captain ever to do so in the same Test after Gavaskar and Kohli.

The day had begun with England expecting to make early inroads under cloudy conditions. Brydon Carse was the pick of the English bowlers utilizing the conditions to effectively trouble India's batsmen with movement and bounce. He gave KL Rahul early trouble and also struck Karun Nair on the helmet with a quick delivery. Carse was finally rewarded when Nair was induced to drive at a ball which saw the edge go to the keeper ending a solid 45-run stand. Under pressure, Rahul and Gill continued to push the scoreboard rapidly reaching 100 in the first hour. England squandered an appeal with a leg before on Gill as replays indicated an unmistakable inside edge. Rahul got to his half-century before being bowled by a brilliant ball from Josh Tongue.

Pant then came on and dominated the innings with a positive approach. His first shot for runs was a flick over fine leg for four and he followed with a dominating six over long-off. He was also given a life when Zak Crawley dropped him at mid-off off Stokes. Pant made England toil for more attacking shots that consisted of a four and a bold sweep for six off Tongue. He also scored two boundaries off Bashir's opening over. But it wasn't all easy for Pant as he lost his bat attempting to smash Tongue got a leading edge which almost led to a catch and just escaped being bowled by Bashir. Despite that he remained combative and his dismissal of Bashir just before Lunch enabled India to reach the 350 mark. At the break India had put on 113 runs in 25 overs demonstrating clear intention to take command.

Throughout the second session India continued to put on 127 runs in 30 overs keeping a healthy run rate of 4.23 which although a shade lower than the first session's 4.52 continued to put pressure on England. With Gill's record-breaking effort Pant's firepower and Jadeja's placid presence India seemed in total command of the game. The England bowlers appeared to be tired and did not gain any consistent pressure while their fielders dropped a couple of chances. The crowd at Edgbaston saw some thrilling cricket as Gill batted to new heights. His coolness in crisis and neat batting shone as he guided the team towards what would be a historic victory.

India's superiority was not based on one man's brilliance but on solid partnerships and astute cricket. Gill and Pant's enterprising 110-run partnership set the tone which was followed by a solid contribution from Jadeja. Together, they took India's score to 304 for 4 at Tea and left a virtually impossible target in the fourth innings for England. The pitch was still receptive to the bowlers but India's huge lead saw England with an almost insurmountable mountain to climb.

The short scorecard stood at India 587 in the first innings and 304 for 4 in the second innings with Gill remaining on 100 Pant scoring 68 and KL Rahul adding 55. Josh Tongue took two wickets but conceded 93 runs. England was bowled out for 407 and is now behind by 484 runs. Having a complete session remaining in the day and another tomorrow India were poised for a series victory courtesy a day of Test cricket that was almost flawless led by Gill's twin centuries and the team's canny batting strategy.