India have taken complete control of the second Test at Edgbaston, leaving England with a mountain to climb. Led by a record-breaking performance from skipper Shubman Gill, India declared their second innings at 427/6, setting the hosts an almost unthinkable 608-run target.
This came on the back of a 180-run first-innings lead, as Gill’s double century powered India to a massive 587 in their first outing with the bat.
England had shown resilience in their first innings, avoiding the follow-on thanks to a 303-run stand between Harry Brook and Jamie Smith. But despite their efforts, they were bowled out for 407, giving India a substantial advantage.
In the second innings, Gill’s breathtaking 161, supported by attacking cameos, allowed India to pile on the runs and declare with more than four sessions remaining in the match.
Now, Ben Stokes’ men are tasked with chasing down the highest total in Test history to win — no team has successfully chased more than 418, a record held by West Indies against Australia in 2003 at Antigua. England also need to break the record for the highest chase at Edgbaston, where their 378-run effort against India in 2022 stands as the best.
Highest Successful Chase In Test
The highest successful run chases in Test cricket history feature some of the most thrilling contests the format has ever seen. Leading the list is West Indies' iconic chase of 418 against Australia at Antigua in 2003, powered by centuries from Ramesh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
South Africa's memorable 414-run pursuit against Australia at the WACA in 2008 ranks second. Australia themselves famously chased down 404 against England at Headingley way back in 1948. India’s 403-run triumph over West Indies at Queen's Park Oval in 1976 remains one of their greatest overseas wins.
More recently, the West Indies chased 395 against Bangladesh at Chattogram in 2021, while Sri Lanka’s 388-run chase against Zimbabwe at the Premadasa in 2017 rounds out this elite list of record-breaking fourth-innings feats.
Chasing at Edgbaston has proven tricky, with the next best effort being South Africa’s 281 in 2008. With history stacked against them and India’s bowlers fired up, England will need something truly miraculous to avoid defeat in this Test.
