Edgbaston Test: Rain Threatens to Dampen India's Victory Push Against England OR Birmingham Weather Raises Concerns for India's Series-Leveling Hopes vs. England OR India's Edgbaston Test Win in Jeopardy as Weather Forecast Predicts Rain

India's captain Shubman Gill celebrates after scoring a century during day four of the second cricket test match between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

Birmingham's weather could disrupt India's chances of leveling the series in the second Test against England at Edgbaston.

India holds a dominant position, thanks to Shubman Gill's exceptional batting performance. He became the first batsman in Test history to record scores of 250 and 150 in the same match, while Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep further solidified India's advantage by striking with the new ball.

Gill followed his first-innings 267 with a remarkable 161 off 162 balls in the second innings.

He ultimately declared India's second innings at 427-6 on the fourth day, setting England a daunting target of 608 runs to win the five-match series 2-0.

However, weather forecasts predict overcast skies and light showers between 9 and 11 am, potentially delaying the start of play and adding moisture to the pitch, which could favor seam bowlers.

The UK Met Office predicts wet weather affecting the first part of the day in Birmingham, with rain probabilities between 50% and 30% from 10 am to 2 pm local time (7:30 pm IST). The forecast suggests "heavy rain will give way to overcast skies by lunchtime," with the chance of further showers dropping below 10% after 3 pm.

No team in Test cricket history has scored more in the fourth innings to win than the West Indies' 418 against Australia in St John's in 2003. England's highest successful run chase is 378 against India at Edgbaston three years ago.

At the close of play on Saturday, England were 72-3, requiring another 536 runs on the final day to achieve a victory that would be remarkable even by their aggressive 'Bazball' standards.

Siraj, who spearheaded India's attack with 6-70 in the first innings, made an early breakthrough on Saturday by dismissing Zak Crawley for a duck.

Deep, replacing the world's top-ranked fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, continued his impressive performance from the first innings by bowling Ben Duckett (25) with a ball that nipped back.

He then bowled Joe Root for just six with a superb full-length delivery that moved away late.