India won their first Test in Edgbaston, defeating England in the series’ second Test, which concluded recently. Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, India overcame England and broke through the stronghold.
Gill’s team became the first Asian team to overcome England in Birmingham’s renowned Edgbaston stadium. The Indian team broke over a barrier four years ago when they defeated the Australians in a Test match, ending their long winning streak at the Gabba.
In that Test, the visiting squad was captained by Ajinkya Rahane. Here are five parallels between the two historic wins at Gabba in 2021 and Edgbaston in 2025.
1. Neither Virat Kohli nor Jasprit Bumrah played in that Test
Virat Kohli is regarded by many cricket fans as the greatest Test batter of the current age. Jasprit Bumrah is also regarded by many as the greatest Test bowler of the present generation.
However, neither of the two players appeared in the playing XIs in Edgbaston this year or Gabba in 2021. In 2021, Bumrah was hurt, and Virat was on paternal leave. Bumrah was rested for the game in 2025, and Virat had retired.
2. Mohammed Siraj took a 5-wicket haul for India
Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has currently become one of the best all-format players in the world. He has made stupendous success in both red ball cricket and white ball cricket.
To shed some light on his best performances in the Test cricket, Siraj came back with remarkable bowling statistics during the second inning of the Gabba Test in 2021, bowling 5/73. In the first innings of Edgbaston Test four years later, he took six wickets.
3. Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill scored big in the 2nd innings
Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill were named Man of the Match at Gabba 2021 and Edgbaston 2025, respectively. At Edgbaston, Gill hit a remarkable 269 in the opening inning and then a 162-ball 161 in the second. Pant came back from Edgbaston with scores of 25 and 65.
Pant was the aggressor at the Gabba four years ago, scoring 23 and 89*. With a superb 91-run knock at the top of the order, Gill provided him with outstanding support.
4. Washington Sundar dismissed a left-handed batter LBW in the 2nd innings
In cricket, it’s commonly believed that right-arm off-spinners frequently cause problems for left-handed batters. With his astute bowling at Gabba in 2021 and Edgbaston in 2025, off-spinner Washington Sundar has demonstrated that it is accurate.
In the second innings of 2021, Sundar took the vital wicket of a composed David Warner. At a pivotal point in the second innings, four years later, he broke the partnership by trapping Ben Stokes. LBW was used for both dismissals.
5. An Indian player’s father was not satisfied with his good score after 1st innings
At The Gabba in 2021, Washington Sundar scored an incredible 62 runs in the opening innings against Australia. But the fact that his son was deprived of a hundred made his father, M Sundar, upset.
In 2025, Shubman Gill (Indian) scored a record-breaking marathon innings of 269 runs against England at Edgbaston as Indian captain. Nevertheless, Shubman has a conversation with his father following the knock which revealed that the father of Shubman had missed his triple century as he had to travel.
