Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow star as England smash records in seven-wicket win against India

England chased down a record 378-run target to win the rescheduled 5th Test against India at Edgbaston and level the series 2-2. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow were the architects of a historic victory for England, who bounced back from a disappointing first innings performance with the bat.

This was England's highest successful run-chase in Test cricket. In 2019, they had chased down 362 for 9 against Australia at Leeds thanks to a Ben Stokes masterclass. Ironically, Stokes is now England's Test captain.

It was a scintillating Test match from the outset. After winning the toss, England did well to rock India's top-order. Without Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, India opened with Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara, who could add only 27 for the first wicket in the first innings. Hanuma Vihari, Virat



Kohli and Shreyas Iyer failed to make contributions of any significance as India reeled at 98 for five before a sensational rescue job by Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja.

Rishabh Pant (146) hit his 5th Test hundred while Ravindra Jadeja followed up on an epic 175 with a splendid 104 before Jasprit Bumrah's cameo helped India to 416. England's top-order did not fire either and Bairstow was the only bright spot with a fine 106 off 140 balls as they were bowled out for 284.

India's second innings looked more promising thanks to Cheteshwar Pujara's gutsy half-century and Rishabh Pant's 57, but the others failed to stand up again. Virat Kohli continued with his dismal run and Shreyas Iyer was disappointing; in a meek batting display, India were rolled over for 245 at a time when they should have got a lot more.