Just when it looked like England were getting into a rhythm in their home Test series, India delivered a wake-up call at Edgbaston.
With the series now tied at 1-1, England’s bruising defeat in the second Test has left fans—and coaches—asking tough questions ahead of the third match at Lord’s.
India Make the Most of a Tricky Pitch
One thing stood out more than anything else during this match: India’s bowlers knew exactly how to handle the Edgbaston surface—far better than England’s did.
Even on day five, when pitches usually go flat, India’s seamers were still finding movement, using the cracks and dryness to their advantage.
This kind of pitch—dry, low, and lacking pace—wasn’t what England would’ve hoped for.
But for India’s bowlers, raised on similar surfaces, it played right into their hands.
England’s Attack Fell Flat While India’s Thrived
The difference in how the two sides bowled couldn’t have been clearer.
England’s pacers hit the deck hard, but the ball just didn’t bite.
Too often, their pace was being absorbed by the pitch.
Meanwhile, India’s bowlers—especially Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj—opted for a skiddier approach, just grazing the surface and getting more reward.
England tend to favour flatter tracks with a bit of grass or carry—like the ones at Headingley. But this one? Not their cup of tea.
Batting Woes Continue, Especially at the Top
It’s not just the bowling that’s raising eyebrows.
England’s top-order batting has been fragile for a while, and this match was no exception.
Zak Crawley, in particular, played loose shots in both innings.
Compare that to Shubman Gill, who showed patience and control—qualities England’s batters could have used more of.
Even in the final innings, when England needed to bat out 96 overs to save the match, they didn’t show enough resistance.
The pitch wasn’t a raging turner or a minefield—they just didn’t apply themselves.
Is Bazball Starting to Show Its Cracks?
There’s an irony to England’s fast-scoring, aggressive “Bazball” approach: batting quickly means you’re often back in the field just as fast.
In this case, that meant the bowlers were asked to do a lot—on all four days of the Test, after already being worked hard in the first match.
The result? Tired bodies, tired minds, and a bowling attack that simply looked out of gas.
Meanwhile, India cleverly rotated their squad, bringing in fresher legs like Akash Deep, who made an immediate impact.
England’s Bowling Dilemma Ahead of Lord’s
Heading into the third Test at Lord’s, England now face a tough decision.
They need fresh energy in the bowling unit, but their best options—Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson—are both returning from injury and may not be 100% ready.
It’s a risk either way: stick with the tired crew or gamble on players who are still recovering.
India’s Smart Rotation Strategy Pays Off
In contrast, India’s planning looks spot-on. They rested Jasprit Bumrah for this match, giving him time to recover.
That means the fast-bowling spearhead will be fresh and ready to fire when the teams meet at Lord’s on Thursday.
Inside India’s dressing room, there are probably more than a few quiet nods of satisfaction right now.
They’ve managed their squad well, kept players fresh, and executed their plans with precision.
Series Level and Everything to Play for at Lord’s
With the series finely balanced at one win each, all eyes now turn to Lord’s.
Can England regroup, recharge, and respond? Or will India ride their momentum and take the lead?
One thing’s clear: both sides have a lot on the line, and the third Test is shaping up to be a must-watch clash.