India’s dominance with the bat left England reeling in a match that felt more like a marathon than a cricket contest. On a flat Edgbaston pitch offering little encouragement, the tourists ground their way into a commanding position, led by a relentless batting performance that tested both the resolve and stamina of Ben Stokes’ side.
It was a day where time seemed to stand still. India’s batters stayed at the crease so long that the rhythm of the game harked back to a bygone era of Test cricket, one where patient accumulation trumped shot-making flamboyance. From first light to stumps, they occupied the crease with a quiet determination, draining life from the opposition and the crowd alike.
The English bowlers laboured through the innings with ever-depleting energy. Brydon Carse looked physically spent, while Chris Woakes appeared to vanish from the contest after a brief early spell. Even Stokes, known for his willingness to push himself to the brink, had to ease up eventually. Only Josh Tongue remained operational deep into the innings, delivering with a tired persistence reminiscent of a siege weapon from medieval times.
Shoaib Bashir, meanwhile, shouldered a monumental burden, delivering more overs in this single innings than in an entire year with Somerset. England’s attack was stretched thin, both in terms of personnel and effectiveness, and as the ball softened and the pitch refused to cooperate, their chances of a breakthrough faded with every hour.
The pitch slow, flat, and devoid of pace offered little respite. Though England had requested surfaces that offered “bounce and carry,” they received something more akin to a discarded mattress. It turned any creative field settings or bowling changes into acts of desperation. From umbrella fields to offbeat spells from Harry Brook – who alternated between medium pace and off-spin every option was exhausted to little effect.
India’s approach was meticulous. Even tail-ender Akash Deep, arriving with the score already beyond 570, was promptly reminded by his captain to play responsibly after a loose stroke. Their plan was clear: neutralize England’s tempo-driven style by soaking up time and batting them out of the game.
Now, the onus is on India to back their batting with wickets. Their gamble in picking a deeper batting line-up with multiple all-rounders could yet backfire if they can’t take 20 wickets on this docile surface.
For England, the test may not just be on the field but philosophical. This team has sworn to entertain and attack, even at the cost of defeat. Whether that conviction can withstand a long, slow suffocation like this remains to be seen.
