What was the result of India’s last Test at Edgbaston?

Prior to the ongoing five-match series, the last time India played England at Edgbaston was in July 2022. It was the final Test of the five-match series. A COVID outbreak in the Indian camp in 2021 forced the final game of the five-match series to be played in 2022. The visitors ended up losing the fifth Test by seven wickets to let go of the opportunity of winning a Test series in England.

Opting to field first, England managed to send five Indian batters back to the shed with the team score under 100. However, Rishabh Pant's splendid 146 off 111 and Ravindra Jadeja's gritty 104 off 194 meant that the visitors were able to post a 400-plus total in the first innings. The innings is also remembered for the famous Jasprit Bumrah batting effort, as he carted four fours and two sixes in a 35-run over off Stuart Broad. James Anderson (5/60 in 21.5 overs) starred with a five-wicket haul.

The hosts ended up conceding a massive 132-run lead to India by the end of their first innings, with England scorecard not having much to show apart from Jonny Bairstow's 140-ball 106. Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers from the Indian setup. Although he was relatively expensive compared to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, the four-wicket haul he picked up in 11.3 overs was quite impressive.

India struggled to get going in their second innings and were bundled out for just 245 in 81.5 overs. Cheteshwar Pujara, who had scored just 13 in the first innings, top-scored with 66 to his name. Pant once again came to the rescue of the middle-order with a 57-run knock. Ben Stokes, who had introduced himself as the third-change bowler, emerged as the standout performer with a four-fer (4/33 in 11.5 overs). It was a well-rounded display by the bowling department.

The hosts kickstarted their innings with a bang, with the openers Alex Lees and Zak Crawley motoring to a century stand before England lost three wickets in the span of 15 deliveries with Bumrah striking twice. However, a stunning, unbeaten 269-run partnership between Joe Root (142* off 173) and Bairstow (114* off 145) helped the hosts register a record chase. The historic effort remains the highest total England chased successfully in their Test history.