On July 2, 2025, the second Test of the India tour of England 2025 kicked off at Edgbaston, Birmingham, with India asserting dominance by finishing Day 1 at 310 for 5 in 85 overs. Opting to bowl first under overcast conditions, England captain Ben Stokes hoped to exploit early movement, but India’s batsmen, led by a masterful unbeaten 114 from captain Shubman Gill, had other plans.
Shubman Gill’s seventh Test century, paired with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fluent 87 and an unbeaten 41 from Ravindra Jadeja, put India in a commanding position. The unbroken 99-run partnership between Gill and Jadeja for the sixth wicket frustrated England’s bowlers, setting the stage for an intriguing Day 2.
India made strategic changes to their line-up, resting pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to manage his workload for the upcoming third Test at Lord’s. In his place, Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar were drafted in, replacing Sai Sudharsan and Shardul Thakur.
England, buoyed by their thrilling victory in the first Test, stuck with an unchanged XI, relying on their experienced bowling attack to challenge India’s batsmen. While England’s bowlers showed moments of promise, India’s resilience ensured they held the upper hand at stumps.
India’s Batting Performance
India’s innings began with a solid opening stand between KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who weathered the early threat posed by England’s seamers. Jaiswal, in fine form, played an attacking knock of 87 off 107 balls, including a brisk half-century. His innings provided stability after KL Rahul fell early for 14, bowled by Chris Woakes. Jaiswal’s dismissal, just 13 runs short of a sixth Test century, was a blow, but his contribution set a strong foundation.
Shubman Gill, leading by example, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 114 off 216 balls, featuring 12 fours. Shubman Gill’s seventh Test century, and second consecutive hundred in England as captain, showcased his growing stature as a leader and batsman. Shubman Gill’s patient yet authoritative approach kept India’s scoreboard ticking, even as England’s bowlers tested the middle order.
Pic Credits: ESPNcricinfo
The middle order faced challenges, with Karun Nair, promoted to number three, scoring a steady 31 off 50 balls before being dismissed. Commentator Cheteshwar Pujara noted, “Look, when you bat at No. 4, 5 or 6 and then get promoted up the order, it’s never easy. But you always see it as an opportunity — especially for someone like Karun, who hasn’t played for India in a long time”. Rishabh Pant, known for his aggressive flair, scored 25 before falling to an impulsive shot, caught by Zak Crawley off Shoaib Bashir.
The defining moment of the day was the unbroken 99-run partnership between Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja for the sixth wicket. Jadeja, batting at number seven, played a composed 41* off 67 balls, providing a calming influence. Their partnership not only steadied the innings after the quick dismissals of Nitish Reddy and Pant but also ensured India ended the day in a strong position. Sunil Gavaskar praised Nair’s potential, stating, “The man’s got 300 in Test cricket, so we all know what he’s capable of. It’s just that, like faith, sometimes you need a bit of luck”
England’s Bowling Performance
England’s decision to bowl first was driven by overcast conditions, as Stokes explained at the toss: “We’re going to bowl. Overhead conditions favour it”. However, the bowlers struggled to capitalize fully, with Chris Woakes emerging as the standout performer. Woakes finished with 2 for 59, dismissing KL Rahul and Nitish Reddy with disciplined bowling. His ability to extract movement and maintain a tight line made him England’s most threatening bowler.
Shoaib Bashir provided a breakthrough by dismissing Rishabh Pant, tempting him into a loose shot that resulted in a catch at mid-off. The bowlers managed to keep India’s run rate at 3.64 runs per over, but the lack of consistent breakthroughs allowed India to build substantial partnerships.
Strategic Decisions and Expert Opinions
India’s team selection sparked debate, particularly the decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah. Ravi Shastri expressed disbelief, stating, “You have the best fast bowler in the world and you make him sit out after seven days’ rest. It’s something very hard to believe and I can’t agree with it”. Gill defended the move, citing workload management for the Lord’s Test: “Third Test being at Lord’s, we think there’ll be more in that pitch so we’ll use him there”.
The exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav also raised eyebrows, with Sunil Gavaskar arguing, “I’m a little baffled that Kuldeep wasn’t picked, because on a pitch like this, where everybody talks that there’s a little more turn” . Gill, however, emphasized batting depth, stating, “It was very tempting to play him but considering our lack of runs down the order, we needed batsmen”.
Looking Ahead to Day 2
As Day 2 dawns on July 3, 2025, India will aim to capitalize on their strong position, with Gill and Jadeja looking to extend their partnership. With Washington Sundar and Akash Deep still to bat, India has the potential to post a total well beyond 400. The Edgbaston pitch, which has been batsman-friendly so far, is expected to offer more turn, potentially bringing spinners like Jadeja, Sundar, Bashir, into play. Gill hinted at the importance of spin, noting, “Whenever Jaddu bhai (Jadeja) was bowling, we felt that chances were being created”.
England will need early wickets to regain control, with Woakes and Bashir likely to lead the charge. Stokes, known for his tactical nous, may introduce spinners earlier to exploit any turn in the pitch. The hosts will also draw confidence from their successful run chase in the first Test, as Stokes noted, “Great run chase, great Test to be part of great start to the series” . However, with India’s batting depth and England’s bowlers lacking their usual bite, the visitors hold the advantage.
Also Read: ENG vs IND: Shubman Gill’s Masterclass 114* Powers India to 310/5 at Edgbaston