NEW DELHI: Experience counts — especially when a seasoned player knows how to control the tempo in high-pressure situations. On the final day of the second Test at Edgbaston, with India chasing a historic win, one such subtle but crucial moment played out during the morning session.India were looking to break the partnership between Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith when Ravindra Jadeja was handed the ball for the final over before lunch. He had a brief discussion with captain Shubman Gill, and then cleverly bowled his six deliveries in under 100 seconds, not allowing Smith any time to settle at the crease. The rapid over meant that India had time for one more before the lunch break.Seemingly as per plan, Gill tossed the ball to Washington Sundar for the bonus over — a calculated gamble that paid off immediately.On the final delivery before lunch, Sundar removed England captain Ben Stokes, dealing a massive blow to the hosts. Stokes’ dismissal left England reeling at 153/6, with India needing just four more wickets to seal their first-ever Test win at Edgbaston.After the wicket, Jadeja was seen high-fiving an ecstatic Gill — a moment that summed up the planning and execution behind the dismissal.WATCH: On a typically unpredictable English day, heavy cloud cover and intermittent rain gave way to bright sunshine. Play started after a 1 hour 40-minute delay, leaving India with 80 overs to bowl out England, who began the day at 72 for 3, chasing an improbable 608.Prasidh Krishna opened the bowling with Akash Deep, who stood out in the morning session. For the first time in the high-scoring Test, the pitch showed signs of wear, and Akash Deep extracted sharp seam movement off the surface. Surprisingly, Mohammed Siraj did not share the new ball with him.Akash Deep struck in his second over, cleaning up Ollie Pope as the batter chopped on. In his very next over, he sent down a vicious nip-backer that hit a crack and trapped Harry Brook lbw — a near-unplayable delivery that left England rattled.With that spell, Akash Deep likely sealed his place for the Lord’s Test, showcasing masterful control with the new ball. Krishna didn’t take a wicket but played a valuable holding role from the other end.
Jadeja was brought into the attack after the first hour and immediately started troubling the batters with turn from the rough. Unlike Headingley, Jadeja reduced his pace and extracted more spin — a smart tactical tweak. Both Stokes and Smith were tested, but the England captain managed to score some vital runs, hitting four boundaries off Siraj, including a classy pull and an extra cover drive.Realising the futility of defending endlessly, Stokes resorted to sweeping Jadeja. However, just as England seemed to be building a stand, Sundar’s final over before lunch turned the momentum firmly back in India’s favour.Heading into Day 5, only two results were on the cards: an India win or a rain-assisted draw. England, who have drawn just one Test in the last three years, seemed to have abandoned any hopes of chasing the massive target.Now, with only four wickets standing and momentum on India’s side, a historic Edgbaston victory — and a series-levelling result — is within touching distance.
