The second Test match between India and England, part of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy and the World Test Championship, began on July 2, 2025, at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham. After losing the first Test in Leeds, India, led by captain Shubman Gill, came ready to fight back against Ben Stokes’ England team. Day 1 was full of action, with India scoring 310 runs for 5 wickets, thanks to a brilliant century by Gill. Here’s a simple breakdown of what happened, why it matters, and what to expect next.
A Surprising Start
Before the match, everyone was talking about India’s team changes. Star bowler Jasprit Bumrah was rested to keep him fresh, which surprised many fans. Instead, India picked Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar, leaving out batsman Sai Sudharsan and all-rounder Shardul Thakur. Some experts, like former player Sunil Gavaskar, wondered why spinner Kuldeep Yadav wasn’t included, as the dry Edgbaston pitch might suit spin bowling later.
England kept the same team that won in Leeds: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir. Stokes won the coin toss and chose to bowl first, hoping to use the grassy pitch to get early wickets, even though it could become easier for batting later.
Day 1: India Fights Hard
India’s batting started strongly, led by young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who smashed 87 runs off 107 balls with 11 boundaries. He looked unstoppable, continuing his great record against England, scoring at least 50 in all seven Tests he’s played against them. By lunch, India were 90/1, with KL Rahul out early for 12.
After lunch, Jaiswal and Gill added 71 runs together, but England fought back when Stokes got Jaiswal out, caught by Jamie Smith. At tea, India were 182/3 after Karun Nair was dismissed cheaply by spinner Shoaib Bashir. Later, Rishabh Pant tried to attack with a quick 25, but he got out trying to hit Bashir, leaving India at 208/4. Nitish Reddy also fell quickly for 0, bowled by Chris Woakes, making it 211/5.
But Shubman Gill stayed strong. He scored an unbeaten 114 runs off 216 balls, hitting a century with a stylish boundary off Joe Root. Alongside Ravindra Jadeja, who was not out on 41, Gill helped India reach 310/5 by the end of the day. Their 99-run partnership gave India a strong position, though England’s bowlers, especially Woakes (2 wickets), kept the game close.
Big Moments of the Day
- Gill’s Amazing Century: As captain, Gill faced pressure after the team changes, but his unbeaten 114 showed his skill and leadership. He celebrated with a big cheer, taking off his helmet after reaching 100.
- Jaiswal vs Stokes Drama: In the 17th over, Jaiswal and Stokes had a heated argument, adding excitement to the match and showing how much both teams want to win.
- Edgbaston’s Tough History: India have never won at Edgbaston in eight Tests. Fans remember England’s big chase of 378 runs there in 2022, but Gill’s batting gave hope for a change.
- The Pitch: The Edgbaston pitch had some grass to help bowlers early, but its dry surface helped batsmen like Gill later. England’s choice to bowl first didn’t fully work out yet.
- Team Selection Questions: India’s decision to pick three all-rounders (Reddy, Sundar, Jadeja) instead of a specialist like Kuldeep caused debates. Some think coach Gautam Gambhir’s plan might be risky.
What to Watch on Day 2
India will start Day 2 at 310/5, with Gill and Jadeja batting. They’ll aim to score over 400 runs, but England will use the new ball to try for quick wickets. Woakes and Carse (who has a small toe injury) will lead England’s attack, while Root and Bashir might spin the ball to cause trouble. India’s lower-order batsmen need to step up, as they struggled in the first Test.
When India bowl, Siraj and Akash Deep will lead without Bumrah, and Jadeja’s spin could be key on the dry pitch. England’s aggressive batting style, called “Bazball,” which chased 371 in Leeds, will test India’s bowlers. England’s stars like Root and Brook will look to score big if they bat on Day 2.
Why This Match Is Important
This Test is a big deal for both teams in the 2025-27 World Test Championship. India, down 1-0 in the series, need a win to tie things up and improve their WTC ranking after winning only one of their last nine Tests. England want to stay ahead and keep their strong record at Edgbaston. The match also tests Gill’s leadership and Gambhir’s coaching, especially after their bold team choices.
How to Follow the Match
You can watch the India vs England 2nd Test live on Sony Sports Ten 1 and 5 in India, with streaming on JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. The match runs from July 2 to July 6, starting at 3:30 PM IST (11:00 AM in Birmingham) each day, with the toss at 3:00 PM IST. Check ESPNcricinfo, The Indian Express, or Republic World for live updates and scores.
Conclusion
Day 1 of the India vs England 2nd Test 2025 was a thrilling start, with Shubman Gill’s century and India’s 310/5 stealing the spotlight. Despite losing key players like Pant and Reddy, India fought back, but England’s bowlers kept the pressure on. As Day 2 begins, fans are eager to see if India can build a big score and challenge England’s strong batting. With history, pride, and World Test Championship points at stake, this Edgbaston match is set to be a blockbuster. Can India finally win at this tough ground, or will England stay on top? Stay tuned for more action!
Last Updated on: Thursday, July 3, 2025 12:36 pm by Puneeth Kamalapuram | Published by: Puneeth Kamalapuram on Thursday, July 3, 2025 12:09 pm | News Categories: Sports
At News Proton, we are committed to providing accurate, reliable, and thoroughly verified information, sourced from trusted media outlets. For more details, please visit our About, Disclaimer, Terms & Conditions, and Privacy Policy. If you have any questions, feedback, or concerns, feel free to contact us through email.
Contact Us: varshareddy05.qitech@gmail.com
About The Author
Leave a Reply