India produced a dominant batting display in the first Test against England, amassing a colossal first-innings total of 587 runs at Edgbaston. The visitors took full advantage of favorable batting conditions on offer, with a series of top-order and middle-order contributions placing them in a commanding position in this crucial contest.
From the very first morning at Edgbaston, the Indian openers looked composed and determined, weathering the initial spells from England’s pace attack. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill laid a solid foundation before Gill turned the game decisively in India’s favor with one of the finest innings of his career, making full use of the true bounce and carry that Edgbaston offered.
The highlight of India’s innings came courtesy of a remarkable double century by Shubman Gill, whose 269 was a masterclass in temperament and strokeplay. The Edgbaston crowd witnessed a modern Test batting clinic as Gill combined patience, crisp driving, and deft flicks to all parts of the ground, becoming a nightmare for the England bowlers.
Virat Kohli too made his mark on Edgbaston’s lively pitch, crafting a fluent 82 and sharing a vital third-wicket stand with Gill. Their partnership added stability after an early wicket and kept the England attack at bay. Kohli’s comfort at this venue, where he’s historically performed well, was once again on display.
Middle-order contributions from Rishabh Pant, who struck an aggressive 61, and Ravindra Jadeja, who added a resilient 53, ensured that the momentum built by the top order wasn’t squandered. The runs continued to flow at Edgbaston as England’s bowlers struggled to find consistent breakthroughs on a surface that offered little assistance on Day 2.
For the English bowling unit, it proved to be a frustrating couple of days at Edgbaston. James Anderson, in what could be one of his final appearances at the ground, bowled economically but remained wicketless through long spells. Mark Wood was the pick of the attack, eventually dismissing Gill and claiming three wickets, but support from the other end remained scarce.
By the time India declared their innings closed, the 587 on the board had firmly tilted the balance of the match. The Edgbaston pitch, which played true for the first two days, is expected to offer more for the bowlers as the game progresses, making India’s massive total even more valuable in the contest.
As the Test enters a crucial phase, attention turns to whether England’s batters can produce a response of similar stature on the Edgbaston track. The pressure will be on their top order to negotiate the new ball and avoid early damage from India’s pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mukesh Kumar.
Regardless of how the rest of the Test unfolds, this match will be remembered for India’s emphatic batting effort at Edgbaston. Their imposing total has not only put them in a commanding position but also delivered one of the finest team performances by an Indian side on English soil.