India crushes England by 336 runs as Bazball succumbs

In the second Test match held at Edgbaston, England faced a humiliating defeat by 336 runs against India, marking a significant moment in the ongoing Test series. This match took place over the course of five days, with India securing their victory after England failed to reach the target of 608 runs on the final day. England's struggles began early, with the team bowled out for 271 runs, unable to sustain any momentum against the formidable Indian bowlers, particularly Akash Deep, who had a remarkable match with 10 wickets. The series was leveled at 1-1 as a result of this outcome, indicating a turning point in the competition between the two teams. The first innings set the tone for the match, as England's bowlers managed to contain India at 200 for 5. However, they could not capitalize on this position, allowing India to recover and set a massive target for England. England, starting their innings, quickly fell to 80 for 5, with captain Ben Stokes acknowledging that the initial dismissal of their top order was detrimental to their chances. Jamie Smith was the only standout performer for England, scoring 88 runs in the second innings after already making 184 not out in the first innings. Considering the heavily pro-India crowd at Edgbaston, the pressure mounted on the English players as India’s innings were dominated by Shubman Gill, who scored a staggering 261 in the first innings and followed it up with 161 in the second, earning him the 'man of the match' accolade. This performance solidified India's position in the series and raised questions about England's batting strategy under the 'Bazball' approach, which emphasizes aggressive chasing. However, in this match, the emphasis on maintaining a defensive stance ultimately led to their downfall. Fresh rain on the morning of the final day delayed the start by almost two hours, raising the required run rate for England significantly and diminishing any hopes they could chase down the extraordinary target. The eventual collapse of the team seemed inevitable after the early wickets tumbled, and Stokes' remark about the game's conditions enhancing India's capabilities reflected the struggles his team faced throughout this Test. Moving forward into the series, India is poised to build on this momentum, particularly with the potential return of Jasprit Bumrah to the bowling lineup in the upcoming match at Lord's.