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New York Times
16 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Akash Deep delivered – and helped India completely turn the tables on England
It does not get much better than this. Not for an India side who went into the second Test in a confused state and will leave Birmingham with one of their most famous wins. There was quite a contrast between the scenes of jubilation when India sealed their first Test victory in nine attempts at Edgbaston and those on the outfield the day before the game. Advertisement It was then under pressure coach Gautham Gambhir could be seen deep in conversation with his support staff pondering the possible consequences of leaving the best fast bowler in the world in Jasprit Bumrah out of the India side. Only 24 hours earlier Gambhir's assistant Ryan ten Doeschate had all but told the media that the most powerful cricket team in the world would be happy to emerge from this second of five matches with a draw, even though they were 1-0 down. It seemed a curiously defensive mindset and one confirmed when India not only left out Bumrah in a Test they could not afford to lose but packed their side with batting and an inferior spinner in Washington Sundar to potential match-winner Kuldeep Yadav. The Test and the series seemed within England's grasp, particularly when Ben Stokes won another toss and again defied convention by doing what he has successfully done so often and decided to bowl first. But what followed was a commanding India performance and a chastening wake-up call for an England side outplayed in all departments here and now head to Lord's for Thursday's third Test with the tables completely turned. They were excellent value for their 336-run victory. This was some triumph for India and captain Shubman Gill. The new leader arrived with questions over his captaincy and leaves with a more than realistic chance of breaking one of the longest standing records in Test cricket, Sir Don Bradman's tally of 974 in a single series, against England in the 1930 Ashes. In his first two games in charge Gill has made 585 runs and at Edgbaston became the first man in Test history to make a double hundred and a score of more than 150 in a Test. He made 430 runs in this Test alone in India's tally of 1,014. That domination with the bat has led to a more pro-active leader in the field and no more captaining by committee for India. But there was still a sign of innate defensiveness in Gill's delayed declaration here that left England 608 to win. That declaration, which gave India only three sessions and 90 minutes to bowl England out, could easily have backfired and Gill would have been an anxious captain when the fifth day was delayed by a heavy shower until 12.40pm. No matter. Even though England did their best to bat responsibly when the clouds parted, knowing a draw here would have been as good as a win, they had no answer to the unexpected India match-winner in Bumrah's stand-in, Akash Deep. While England were frustrated by a pitch that had little of the pace and bounce they request from groundstaff, Deep bowled superbly on it. Advertisement Deep's command of length and line were superb, he managed to gain more seam movement with the new ball than any England bowler and ended up with his first five-wicket haul in a Test innings and his first 10 wicket return in a match. He was able to take advantage of a crack that developed in the pitch at the Pavilion End with unerring accuracy. Deep found elusive bounce and movement to dismiss Ollie Pope and Harry Brook on the fifth morning — to defensive shots — and was then too smart for Jamie Smith by bowling a slower off cutter to England's best batter in this Test and forcing him to perish in search of his third successive six. Then Deep had the final word when Brydon Carse attempted a slog and only skied the ball to — who else — Gill. Deep stood, arms outstretched, and looked to the heavens as a large last-day crowd made up of a vast majority of Indian fans roared their appreciation. Jasprit who? 'We were spot on with all the things we talked about before the game,' said Gill. 'Our bowlers were magnificent. Bumrah will definitely be back at Lord's and there will be no greater honour for me than captaining India there.' It will not be Deep who makes way now for Bumrah — Prasidh Krishna will be looking over his shoulder. India now have options where five days ago they had only doubt and uncertainty. Questions will now be asked of an England team still looking for their first Test series victory against India or Australia of the Bazball era under coach Brendon McCullum and Stokes. This crushing defeat cannot be blamed on their 'we don't do draws' bullishness. England still tried to play positively on Sunday but they did so knowing it was their best chance of surviving rather than completely going into their shell and submitting meekly. It would be easy, too, to say that decision at the toss was a mistake by Stokes, particularly when there were signs of deterioration in the surface on day five and a little rough for Ravindra Jadeja and Sundar to work with. Advertisement But minds need only be cast back to the last Test between these sides at Edgbaston three years ago when England pulled off their record chase of 378 to remember that the policy has worked for Stokes more often that it has failed. It would not be a huge surprise if the England captain once again bowls first should he win the toss at Lord's. 'If we'd been able to burst them open when we had them five down on day one it might have been different but as the game got deeper and deeper it became obvious the pitch wasn't playing how we expected it to and it was suiting India more,' said Stokes. 'No-one has a crystal ball.' What an appetising prospect awaits at the home of cricket now. Bumrah will be back, as will, for the first time in a Test for more than four years, Jofra Archer. How England need Archer to hit the ground running in what are expected to be sweltering temperatures throughout the third Test. It will be demanding on his fragile body not used to long stints in the field but England desperately need the extra pace and menace that Archer could bring. They need a vastly improved performance. This series began with England knowing 10 Tests against India and Australia would define their Bazball project but they have been inferior throughout this Test and the bulk of a first one thrown away by India. It is up to England to find the answers now with Bazball facing its fiercest examination and India basking in the glow of a significant achievement. Click here to follow cricket on The Athletic and see more stories like this.
CNA
18 hours ago
- Sport
- CNA
Deep bags six as India crush England to seal historic Edgbaston win
BIRMINGHAM, England :Akash Deep took six wickets as India crushed England by 336 runs to level the series at 1-1 on Sunday after they bowled out the hosts for 271 to claim their first test victory at Edgbaston. India had never won at Edgbaston in eight tests, losing seven, and they were humbled last time out at the venue when England completed their highest successful run chase (378) three years ago. Faced with the daunting task of chasing 608 to win, however, England crumbled as Deep ripped through the top order and claimed his maiden test five-wicket haul with figures of 6-99 to finish with 10 wickets in the match. Resuming on 153-6 after lunch, Jamie Smith scored a half-century but nearing another hundred with two consecutive sixes, he fell for 88 going for a third when he was caught at deep backward square to become Deep's fifth victim. Brydon Carse provided entertainment with the bat as he went after the bowling, but he was the last man out for 38 when he skied Deep to India captain Shubman Gill who fittingly took the catch to seal a famous victory for his team.
