The Unthinkable Chase at Edgbaston: Eng vs Ind Test 2022

The 2022 England vs. India Test match at Edgbaston was a remarkable encounter, culminating in England achieving their highest-ever successful run chase in Test cricket to draw the five-match series 2-2. This rescheduled fifth Test, part of a series that began in 2021, provided a thrilling conclusion to a contest that spanned nearly a year.

India, having led the series 2-1 after four matches, posted a formidable first-innings total of 416, with Rishabh Pant leading the charge with a brilliant 146. James Anderson was the pick of the English bowlers, claiming a five-wicket haul. England responded with 284 in their first innings, a score that saw Jonny Bairstow score a century. Jasprit Bumrah, who captained India in this Test, was exceptional with the ball, taking three wickets. India then extended their lead in the second innings, setting England a target of 378. This target represented England's highest-ever successful run chase in Test history and the ninth-largest overall.

A Resolute English Response: Root and Bairstow Lead the Charge

Chasing 378, England's openers Alex Lees (56) and Zak Crawley (46) provided a solid foundation with a century partnership. However, it was the unbeaten partnership between Joe Root (142*) and Jonny Bairstow (114*) that sealed the historic victory. Their exceptional batting display, marked by twin centuries, saw England comfortably chase down the target with seven wickets to spare. Bairstow was deservedly named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance, including centuries in both innings.

Joe Root was named Player of the Series for his phenomenal batting throughout the series, amassing 737 runs at an astonishing average of 105.28. Jasprit Bumrah was India's Player of the Series, finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 23 wickets.

Key Performances and Records in the Eng vs Ind Test 2022

Several individual performances and records stood out during this engaging Test match:

• Joe Root's Batting Prowess: Joe Root continued his stellar form, scoring his 28th Test century in the second innings chase. He also surpassed 700 runs in the series, a first for him in a five-match Test series.
• Jonny Bairstow's Form: Jonny Bairstow maintained his incredible run-scoring form in 2022, hitting his 11th Test century in the first innings and another in the record chase. This was his sixth Test century of the year.
• Jasprit Bumrah's Unique Record: While captaining India, Jasprit Bumrah achieved a unique batting record by smashing 35 runs in a single over off Stuart Broad, setting a new record for the most runs scored in an over in Test cricket history.
• Ben Stokes' Captaincy: Ben Stokes, who had been appointed captain of the England Test team in April 2022, led his side with an aggressive approach, often referred to as 'Bazball'. Following the victory, Stokes commented on England's fearless brand of cricket, suggesting that opponents struggle to strategize against their third-innings approach.
• Series Draw: The win at Edgbaston meant England drew the series 2-2, a fitting conclusion to a hard-fought contest.

Captains at the Helm

In this Test, Jasprit Bumrah captained India, stepping in as captain. Ben Stokes captained England, having taken over the Test captaincy earlier in 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Who won the Eng vs Ind Test in 2022?

A1: England won the fifth Test match at Edgbaston by seven wickets.

Q2: What was the final series score between England and India in 2022?

A2: The five-match Test series ended in a 2-2 draw.

Q3: Who was the Player of the Match in the Eng vs Ind Test 2022 at Edgbaston?

A3: Jonny Bairstow was named Player of the Match for his centuries in both innings.

Q4: Who was the Player of the Series for England and India?

A4: Joe Root was Player of the Series for England, and Jasprit Bumrah was Player of the Series for India.

Q5: What was the record achieved by Jasprit Bumrah in this Test?

A5: Jasprit Bumrah set a new record for the most runs scored in a single over in Test cricket, hitting 35 runs off Stuart Broad's bowling.

Conclusion

The 2022 Eng vs Ind Test at Edgbaston will be remembered for England's extraordinary chase, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow's sublime centuries, and Jasprit Bumrah's record-breaking over with the bat. This match not only drew the series but also provided a fitting climax to a captivating contest between bat and ball, showcasing the evolving strategies and resilience of both teams.