The Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham has long been a fortress for England and a challenging venue for visiting teams, particularly India. As the cricketing world gears up for the second Test of the ENG vs IND 2025 series, scheduled to begin on July 2, 2025, at Edgbaston, it’s worth revisiting the last time these two cricketing giants clashed at this iconic venue in 2022. The rescheduled fifth Test of the 2021 series, played from July 1 to July 5, 2022, was a high-octane encounter that showcased breathtaking performances, dramatic momentum swings, and a stunning English chase. This article delves into the key moments, standout performances, and historical context of that match, setting the stage for what promises to be another exciting ENG vs IND battle in 2025.
Historical Context: India’s Struggles at Edgbaston
India’s record at Edgbaston is far from illustrious. Since their first Test at the venue in 1967, India have played eight Test matches at Edgbaston, losing seven and drawing one in 1986. They have never secured a victory at this ground, making it one of the most challenging venues for the Men in Blue. The 2022 Test was no exception, as India, despite posting a competitive total and boasting a formidable bowling attack, succumbed to a rampant England side under the aggressive “Bazball” philosophy led by captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. The ENG vs IND 2022 Test is remembered for England’s remarkable chase of 378 runs, a feat that underscored their newfound attacking approach.
The 2022 ENG vs IND Test: Match Summary
The 2022 Test was the rescheduled fifth match of the 2021 series, which had been postponed due to COVID-19 cases in the Indian camp. With the series tied at 2-2, the stakes were high for both teams. India, led by stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah in the absence of Rohit Sharma (sidelined by COVID-19), faced an England side brimming with confidence after their aggressive performances earlier in the summer.
First Innings: India’s Strong Start
India won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that initially paid dividends. Despite early setbacks, with openers Shubman Gill and Chetes Fortunes shifted as India reached 98/5, but a sensational counterattack from Rishabh Pant turned the game. Pant’s audacious 146 off just 111 balls, including 20 fours and four sixes, was a masterclass in aggressive batting. His knock, coupled with a gritty 104 from Ravindra Jadeja, propelled India to a competitive 416 in their first innings. England’s bowlers, led by James Anderson (5-60), toiled hard, but Pant’s fearless approach ensured India posted a formidable total.
England’s Response: Root and Bairstow Shine
England’s reply was anchored by centuries from Joe Root (142) and Jonny Bairstow (106). The duo’s 269-run partnership for the fourth wicket put England in a strong position, but India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah (5-83), struck back to restrict England to 284, giving India a 132-run lead. Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur chipped in with crucial wickets, keeping India in the driver’s seat.
India’s Second Innings: A Tale of Two Halves
India’s second innings began solidly, with Cheteshwar Pujara (66) and Pant (57) contributing valuable runs. However, a lower-order collapse, triggered by England’s seamers, saw India lose their last seven wickets for just 41 runs, ending at 245. This set England a daunting target of 378 to win the match and level the series. The stage was set for a thrilling final day in the ENG vs IND contest.
England’s Historic Chase
Chasing 378 was no small task, but England’s aggressive approach under Stokes and McCullum made the impossible seem possible. Openers Zak Crawley (46) and Alex Lees (56) provided a solid start, but it was the partnership between Joe Root (142 not out) and Jonny Bairstow (114 not out) that stole the show. Their unbeaten 269-run stand guided England to 378/3 in just 76.4 overs, securing a seven-wicket victory with a run rate of 4.93. India’s bowlers, including Bumrah, who took five wickets in England’s first innings, were rendered ineffective in the chase. Dropped catches and inconsistent bowling further hampered India’s chances, as England completed their second-highest successful run chase in Test history.
Key Performances in the 2022 ENG vs IND Test
Player | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
Rishabh Pant | India | 146 (111 balls, 1st innings), 57 (2nd innings) |
Ravindra Jadeja | India | 104 (1st innings), 1 wicket |
Jasprit Bumrah | India | 5-83 (1st innings) |
Joe Root | England | 142* (2nd innings), 142 (1st innings) |
Jonny Bairstow | England | 114* (2nd innings), 106 (1st innings) |
James Anderson | England | 5-60 (1st innings) |
What Went Wrong for India?
Despite their strong batting performances, India’s defeat in the 2022 ENG vs IND Test can be attributed to several factors:
Lower-Order Collapses: India’s batting collapses in both innings (7 for 41 in the first, 6 for 31 in the second) squandered their advantage. These collapses allowed England to stay in the game despite India’s dominance in parts.
Dropped Catches: India dropped six catches throughout the match, including crucial chances off Root and Bairstow during the chase. These fielding lapses proved costly.
Bowling Inefficiency: While Bumrah was exceptional in the first innings, India’s bowlers struggled to contain England’s aggressive batting in the chase. The spinners, including Jadeja, were unable to exploit the rough patches on the pitch effectively.
Bazball’s Impact: England’s ultra-aggressive approach, dubbed “Bazball,” caught India off guard. The fearless batting of Root and Bairstow, backed by Stokes’ leadership, overwhelmed India’s plans.
Looking Ahead to ENG vs IND 2025 at Edgbaston
As India prepare for the second Test of the 2025 series at Edgbaston, they face a familiar challenge. Trailing 1-0 after a five-wicket loss at Headingley, where England chased 371, Shubman Gill’s men are under pressure to deliver. The 2022 Test serves as a reminder of the challenges India face at this venue, where they have never won in eight attempts. However, there are reasons for optimism:
Batting Depth: India’s batting lineup, featuring Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, showed promise in the first Test of 2025, with five centuries. Pant, in particular, has fond memories of Edgbaston, having scored a scintillating 146 in 2022.
Jadeja’s Experience: Ravindra Jadeja, who scored a century at Edgbaston in 2022, remains a key all-rounder. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball could be crucial on a pitch that may assist spinners.
Bowling Options: With questions surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s participation due to workload management, India may turn to Kuldeep Yadav or other pacers like Arshdeep Singh or Akash Deep. The team’s ability to take 20 wickets will be critical.
Challenges for India in 2025
India’s historical struggles at Edgbaston, coupled with England’s recent dominance in run chases, make the upcoming Test a daunting prospect. Posts on X highlight the sentiment that Edgbaston remains a tough venue for India, with England’s successful chase of 378 in 2022 serving as a warning. Additionally, injuries to players like Sai Sudharsan and concerns over Bumrah’s availability could force India to rethink their strategy. The team management, led by coach Gautam Gambhir, will need to address fielding lapses and ensure their bowlers adapt to England’s aggressive batting.
England’s Strengths
England, led by Ben Stokes, will draw confidence from their 2022 performance and their recent win at Headingley in 2025. The addition of Jofra Archer to the squad for the second Test adds firepower to their bowling attack. With Joe Root in fine form and players like Ben Duckett, who scored a match-defining 149 in the first Test of 2025, England will fancy their chances of continuing their dominance at Edgbaston.
In Summary
The 2022 ENG vs IND Test at Edgbaston was a thrilling contest that showcased the best of Test cricket: aggressive batting, skillful bowling, and high drama. For India, it was a missed opportunity to secure a series win, as England’s fearless chase stole the headlines. As the two teams prepare for another ENG vs IND showdown in 2025, India will be desperate to rewrite history and claim their first-ever Test victory at Edgbaston. With a talented squad and lessons from past defeats, Shubman Gill’s side has the potential to turn the tables. However, they will need to overcome England’s Bazball approach and their own historical demons to make history in Birmingham.
