 "Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah could achieve big records in 2nd Test. Image: Reuters")
The second Test between India and England at Edgbaston is expected to be an exciting contest. India are currently 1-0 down in the five-match series and will be eager to bounce back in Birmingham to keep their hopes alive of creating history. India have not won a Test series in England since 2007, and this year the challenge is even tougher due to the ongoing transition within the team.
However, this Indian side, under the leadership of Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir, showed glimpses of its talent and skill in the first Test. A total of five centuries were scored by Indian batters as they kept England under immense pressure throughout the match. But the bowlers and fielders let the team down in the final innings, failing to defend 371 runs and eventually losing by five wickets. The lower-order batting is another major concern that India will look to address in this series.
Meanwhile, several major records could be broken during the second Test, which is scheduled to begin on 2 July. Let’s take a look at the milestones that players from both teams could achieve at Edgbaston.
Pant on verge of breaking Kohli’s record
Rishabh Pant is in top form as he smashed twin centuries in the first Test last week. He now has five Test hundreds against England, equalling former captain Virat Kohli. If Pant scores another century at Edgbaston, he will move ahead of Kohli and join Mohammad Azharuddin for the most Test centuries by an Indian against England.
Bumrah eyes Wasim Akram’s record
Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the Edgbaston Test remains uncertain , as the team may choose to rest him. However, if he plays and takes a five-wicket haul, he will equal former Pakistan legend Wasim Akram’s record for the most five-wicket hauls (11) by an Asian bowler in SENA countries. Bumrah currently has 10 five-wicket hauls across South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia.
Jaiswal could create history with fastest 2000 runs
Yashasvi Jaiswal has made a strong start to his Test career. He already has 1903 runs in just 20 matches. If he scores 97 runs in the second Test, he will become the fastest Indian batter (in terms of matches) to score 2000 runs in Test cricket.
Gill may equal Kohli and Azhar’s record
Shubman Gill scored a brilliant century in the first Test at Headingley. It was also his first match as captain of the Test side. If Gill hits another hundred at Edgbaston, he will have two centuries as captain in England, the joint-most by any Indian captain alongside Virat Kohli (2) and Mohammad Azharuddin (2).
Root eyes 3000-run mark in India-England Tests
Former England captain Joe Root has scored 2927 runs in India vs England Test matches. It is the most runs scored by any batter in this rivalry. He is just 73 runs away from becoming the first player ever to reach 3000 runs in India-England Tests.