Shubman Gill scaled new heights on Thursday, notching up his maiden 150 in Test cricket, while Ravindra Jadeja crafted a composed 89 to propel India to a commanding 419 for six at lunch on day two of the second Test against England at Edgbaston. The pair stitched together a crucial 203-run partnership off 279 deliveries, capitalizing fully on batting-friendly conditions that offered little encouragement to England’s pace attack.

Resuming from an overnight score of 310 for five, India added a brisk 109 runs in just 25 overs during the morning session. Under clear skies and bright sunshine, Gill and Jadeja appeared largely untroubled, with the surface affording the bowlers scant assistance.

The hosts, desperate for a breakthrough, tried to unsettle the well-set duo with a barrage of short-pitched deliveries. However, the ploy largely misfired as both Gill and Jadeja negotiated the tactic with assurance. It was only late in the session that Josh Tongue, extracting extra bounce from the wicket, managed to break the stand. Jadeja, unable to control an awkward pull, edged the ball to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, offering England a much-needed glimmer of hope.