The second Test match between India and England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, has unfolded with intense cricketing moments and remarkable individual displays. On Day 3, India's bowling attack showcased its dominance, spearheaded by Mohammed Siraj, who delivered a stellar performance, claiming 6 wickets for 70 runs in 19.3 overs. He was ably supported by Akash Deep, who contributed with 4 wickets for 88 runs. Together, they dismantled England's batting lineup, accounting for all ten wickets and bowling England out for 407, thereby securing a commanding 180-run lead for India.

As play was set to resume on Day 4, the weather conditions at Edgbaston presented potential disruptions. Forecasts indicated predominantly cloudy skies with temperatures expected to range between 180C and 220C. Elevated humidity levels were predicted, which could significantly favor swing bowlers, adding another layer of challenge to the match dynamics, especially with the pitch already showing variable bounce and seam movement. While some reports suggested a 70% chance of rain around 3 PM, local weather departments gave a lower probability, closer to 11%, for the 2-3 PM time slot. Despite the varying predictions, light rain interruptions were anticipated, though not expected to result in complete session washouts. The combination of cloudy skies and moisture was poised to offer additional advantages to both sides' seam and swing bowlers, making the initial session of Day 4 particularly crucial in shaping the course of the match.

On the batting front for Day 4, India aggressively extended its lead, reaching 357 runs by lunch. Rishabh Pant, India's vice-captain and wicketkeeper, played a characteristically explosive innings, reaching 41 not out at the break. His innings was filled with dramatic moments, including surviving two dropped catches and a bizarre incident where his bat flew approximately 20 meters into the leg side after an attempted pull shot, eliciting laughter from both players and spectators. Pant, who had already struck five fours and two sixes, joined Shubman Gill after Karun Nair (26) and Lokesh Rahul (55) were dismissed. Shubman Gill provided a steady partnership at the other end, contributing 24 runs.

Beyond his impactful batting, Rishabh Pant also provided a moment of comedic relief that was captured by the stump microphone. The incident occurred on Day 3 during the 90th over when Mohammed Siraj bowled a sharp bouncer that struck England's Shoaib Bashir on the helmet. Siraj immediately apologized to the tailender, prompting Pant's witty remark from behind the stumps: “Pehle maar raha hai, phir bol raha hai” (First you’re hitting him, then saying sorry), which added a touch of humor to the intense match.

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has etched his name into the record books, becoming the highest run-scorer in a debut Test series as India captain. With an impressive 460 runs in just four innings across the series, Gill surpassed Virat Kohli's previous record of 449 runs, set during India's 2014/15 tour of Australia. Gill's exceptional performance included a superb 147 at Headingley and a magnificent 269 in the first innings at Edgbaston, demonstrating his class and composure in challenging English conditions. His achievement is particularly significant as he leads a relatively young side in overseas conditions while delivering consistently with the bat when it matters most. Other notable Indian cricket legends on this distinguished list include Vijay Hazare, Nari Contractor, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Mohammad Azharuddin. India continues to aim for a substantial lead in the match, while England currently holds a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series.