Can India Celebrate as Akash Deep Shines in 2nd Test Victory at Edgbaston?

Birmingham, July 6 (NationPress) – Fast bowler Akash Deep delivered an extraordinary performance with figures of 6-99, achieving a remarkable ten-wicket haul as India triumphed over England by a staggering 336 runs, marking their inaugural Test victory at Edgbaston on Sunday. This emphatic win has also leveled the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at 1-1.

Entering this match without Jasprit Bumrah and excluding Kuldeep Yadav, India faced a 0-1 deficit after a shocking defeat at Leeds. Stepping in as Bumrah's replacement, Akash delivered a fast bowling display for the ages, consistently troubling the English batsmen on a flat pitch and bowling them out for 271 on the final day with over a session to spare.

Akash has become just the second Indian bowler to achieve a ten-wicket haul in a Test in England, following Chetan Sharma, who recorded 10-188 in Birmingham back in 1986. He received excellent support from Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, each contributing with a wicket. Shubman Gill, who scored 269 and 161, celebrated his first victory as India's Test captain.

Even though rain delayed the start of day five by 100 minutes, India managed to take the remaining seven wickets, successfully overcoming their previous loss at Headingley with a historic win in Birmingham.

Akash initiated India's pathway to victory by dismissing overnight batsmen Ollie Pope and Harry Brook early in the morning session. The dismissal of Ben Stokes by Washington just before lunch solidified India's lead for a substantial victory.

Akash, who had previously claimed the wickets of Ben Duckett and Joe Root in a brilliant spell on Saturday, began the day with a breakthrough, hitting Pope on the elbow and deflecting the ball onto the stumps.

He then sharply turned a delivery into Brook, trapping him lbw, with the review confirming that it would have hit the top of middle stump according to 'umpire's call'. Smith, who scored an unbeaten 184 in the first innings, struck three quick boundaries off Akash, while Stokes showcased his aggressive batting by hitting Mohammed Siraj for four boundaries. Ravindra Jadeja's spin troubled both Smith and Stokes, who has struggled against the seasoned left-arm spinner.

After Jadeja completed the 40th over in under 100 seconds, it proved decisive when Stokes was trapped lbw while attempting a forward defense against Washington. Despite reviewing the decision, the ball had drifted and turned, hitting his pad first and confirming a dismissal that left England reeling just before lunch.

Smith began the second session with vigor, striking three boundaries off Jadeja and Washington before reaching his fifty off 73 balls. His aggressive play included two sixes and a four, keeping England's slim hopes of a draw alive.

However, India continued to take wickets as Prasidh Krishna joined the ranks by forcing Chris Woakes to top-edge a short ball to Siraj at midwicket. The pacer later trapped Jamie Smith lbw, but the review saved the wicketkeeper-batter as replays showed the ball going over the stumps.

Smith managed to flick Prasidh for four before hitting Akash for back-to-back sixes over backward square leg and mid-wicket. But in an attempt for a third six, Smith fell prey to a clever change of pace and was caught in the deep, marking Akash's maiden five-wicket haul in Tests.

Joy continued for India when Josh Tongue attempted to whip a fuller ball from Ravindra Jadeja, only to have Siraj make a spectacular one-handed catch at short mid-wicket. Akash then secured his sixth wicket as Brydon Carse sliced to Gill at cover, leading India to a historic victory by overcoming yet another fortress in foreign conditions.

Brief Scores: India 587 and 427/6 declared in 83 overs (Shubman Gill 161, Ravindra Jadeja 69 not out; Josh Tongue 2-93, Shoaib Bashir 2-119) defeated England 407 and 271 in 68.1 overs (Jamie Smith 88, Ben Stokes 33; Akash Deep 6-99, Washington Sundar 1-28) by 336 runs.