IND vs ENG Live: Rain threat remains as India close in on win against England

England’s fourth innings challenge - chasing a record 608 - is beyond daunting.

The highest successful chase in Test history remains West Indies’ 418 in 2003, and England’s best is 378 against India in 2022 at this very venue.

“Nothing is impossible,” said England’s batting coach Marcus Trescothick. “But 536 is a lot of runs... if we were to chase that down, it would be an epic day’s play.”

With three wickets already down and only Harry Brook holding fort at stumps, India are on the brink of a series-levelling victory - thanks to Gill’s heroics and a pace attack punching above their weight.

India’s pacers, undeterred by the flat pitch, came out breathing fire under gloomy skies.

Siraj got Crawley with a full delivery angled across, while Akash Deep, once again stepping up in Bumrah’s absence, produced a dream delivery to castle Root.

The world’s No.1 Test batter was undone by a full-length ball that moved away late.

“That’s a pleasing sign,” said bowling coach Morne Morkel. “Akash is an attacking bowler who bowls at the stumps and asks tough questions. Dismissing a player like Root in that fashion shows his quality.”

After a patient start, Gill exploded post-lunch. Tongue’s short-pitched ploy backfired as Gill dispatched him with ferocity - pulling, hooking, and flat-batting boundaries with disdain.

Bashir bore the brunt of Gill’s growing confidence, with the Indian skipper regularly employing the sweep to perfection. He reached his hundred with a single before tea and then accelerated with a flurry of sixes and fours.

Gill’s final tally included 13 boundaries and eight sixes before he chipped a simple return catch to Bashir. His innings wasn’t just about numbers - it was a statement of authority from a new-era Indian leader.

Earlier in the day, India resumed their innings in a steady fashion with KL Rahul showcasing his elegance through a series of stylish cover drives before falling to a peach from Josh Tongue. Karun Nair fell to Brydon Carse’s persistence after surviving a blow to the helmet.

But the real fireworks began with Pant’s arrival. The wicketkeeper-batter launched a brutal counterattack, smashing Tongue and Stokes with audacious strokes, including a falling pick-up six and a one-handed slog that sent his bat flying. His 65 off 58 balls came in a 110-run stand with Gill, keeping the momentum squarely with India.

Despite India’s commanding position, their delay in declaring raised questions among pundits and fans.

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara remarked on air that Gill should have pulled the plug at least 30 minutes earlier.

In a rare scene at Edgbaston, chants of “boring, boring India” erupted from the otherwise raucous Hollies stand as Gill batted on after his own dismissal. The decision did eventually bring dividends, though, with England limping to 72/3 at stumps on day four.

Mohammed Siraj dismissed Zak Crawley, while Akash Deep cleaned up Ben Duckett and Joe Root to leave the hosts reeling ahead of day five.

Shubman Gill’s relentless hunger for runs continued to torment England as he carved out a sublime 161 in the second innings of the Edgbaston Test, completing his second century of the match and pushing India into a near-invincible position.

With 430 runs in the game - second most by a batter in a Test in history - Gill’s brilliance propelled India to a declaration at 427 for 6, setting England a colossal target of 608 to win.

While Ravindra Jadeja (69*), Rishabh Pant (65), and KL Rahul (55) played supporting roles, it was Gill’s commanding presence at the crease that completely shifted the tide of the series.

The innings capped a historic match for the young Indian captain, who also became the first batter to score 250 and 150 in the same Test.