India’s Tactical Masterclass: Sundar Strikes as Jadeja Engineers Stokes’ Dismissal.
It was a near-perfect team effort from India in the second Test at Edgbaston, and by lunch on Day 5, they were on the brink of a famous win. England, chasing a monumental 608, were tottering at 153 for 6, undone by India’s sharp game awareness and tactical discipline.
The defining moment of the session—and perhaps the match—came in its final over, when Washington Sundar removed England captain Ben Stokes to break a gritty 70-run stand with Jamie Smith. While Sundar delivered the killer blow, the assist—true to India’s collaborative spirit—came from Ravindra Jadeja.
This wasn’t a football match, but it might as well have been. Jadeja and Sundar combined like seasoned playmakers to engineer the crucial breakthrough just before the break.
With less than five minutes remaining in the session, Jadeja was midway through his sixth over. He didn’t pick up a wicket himself, but his rapid over rate became a strategic asset. Sensing the time crunch, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant reminded Jadeja to wrap up quickly, allowing India to sneak in one final over before lunch.
According to the rules, a new over can begin as long as there’s more than a minute left in the session—and Jadeja ensured exactly that.
Sundar, brought on for just his second over of the innings, came around the wicket to Stokes and delivered a sharp arm ball. It darted in and rapped Stokes on the pads. Umpire Sharfuddoula raised the finger without hesitation. The England skipper reviewed, but replays confirmed the ball was crashing into the stumps.
Stokes, visibly frustrated, trudged off as India erupted in celebration, having pulled off a perfectly timed tactical coup.
Just when Ben Stokes looked poised to launch a counterattack, India clipped his wings with razor-sharp precision.
Earlier in the session, Akash Deep continued his superb debut series, removing Ollie Pope and Harry Brook with deliveries that jagged in viciously off the final-day surface. Exploiting the cracks masterfully, Deep was unplayable at times and has emerged as a key figure in India’s pace arsenal, especially in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
The foundation for India’s dominant position was laid earlier in the match. Shubman Gill struck centuries in both innings, showing maturity and flair in equal measure. KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja also chipped in with crucial fifties to help set an almost unscalable target for England.
With the ball, Mohammed Siraj starred in the first innings with six wickets, while Akash Deep provided vital support with four. Every player contributed as India mounted a resounding comeback after their heavy defeat in Leeds.
At lunch on Day 5, victory was within touching distance. For India, this wasn’t just about individual brilliance—it was about strategy, teamwork, and impeccable execution.
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