Team India successfully managed to reduce England to 72/3 by the end of Day 4 in the second Test at Edgbaston, but the prospects for a victory on Day 5 remain uncertain. Captain Shubman Gill’s decision to declare may have come too late, especially with rain predicted for Sunday. With a precipitation chance of over 60% and heavy rainfall anticipated before play resumes, the first session’s start has already been delayed.
Initially, India showcased a commanding performance, posting an impressive first-innings score of 587, fueled by Gill’s remarkable double century. England responded with 407 runs before India declared their second innings at 427/6, leaving England needing to chase down 588 runs for victory.
Real-time updates from NDTV’s Consulting Editor, Boria Majumdar, indicated that rain and dark clouds have been present since early morning. The latest forecasts suggest rain could last until 10:30 AM local time, potentially impacting play significantly. Should the rain persist, England’s chances of salvaging a draw increase, as the weather conditions may favor them later in the day.
While taking seven wickets might seem feasible, experts have voiced that Gill’s earlier declaration could have been more advantageous given the weather outlook. If the rain subsides, India will need to capitalize on the conditions, which are expected to benefit their fast bowlers, with temperatures remaining below 20 degrees Celsius.
The situation remains tense as the teams face the weather’s uncertainty, highlighting the precarious balance between the game and nature’s elements. If conditions allow for play, India’s pace attack will have a critical role to play in securing a historic victory at Edgbaston.