Sports News: Chasing India's massive first-innings total of 587, the hosts, England, have created an unwanted record. The Ben Stokes-led team was bowled out on 407. Mohammad Siraj and Akash Deep accounted for all 10 wickets, with the former picking up a six-fer. India's bowling brilliance has forced England onto the back foot, earning their team a massive lead of 180, which will be more than helpful in the fourth innings. While trying to chase India's total, the English batters never really applied themselves, barring Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, who scored 158 and 184*, respectively, taking England somewhat close to India's total.
Six ducks for England!
Taking a first-innings lead never looked realistic for England after they started off shaky. Losing opener Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope on consecutive balls off Akash Deep, England were instantly pushed on the back foot. Losing two batters within the first five overs of the innings while chasing a massive total was never going to help England. Both Duckett and Pope were dismissed for a duck. They were then followed by the skipper, Stokes, who faced an absolute ripper from Siraj first up and ended up nicking the ball to Rishabh Pant.
India wrapped up the tail early this time, making sure that no freebies are provided to England. Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir were the other three batters dismissed by Siraj for 0. Previously, five England batters had been dismissed for a duck in an innings on four occasions.
A 180-run first innings lead for India
After an impeccable bowling performance by two fast bowlers, India finds themselves as the favorites to win the Edgbaston test and level the series 1-1. Captain Shubman Gill's 269 earlier helped India to put a mammoth score on the board. Getting full support from his bowlers and teammates, skipper Gill led India to a big 180-run lead in the first innings.
England's Fightback
After losing Joe Root and Stokes on consecutive deliveries, England were in a spot of bother. In came Jamie Smith and stitched a 303-run partnership with his teammate, Harry Brook. Both whacked the Indian bowlers, especially Prasidh Krishna. Had they not taken the responsibility, the hosts would've found themselves maybe 300-350 runs behind.
