Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow star as England gun down record 378 to script historic Test win vs India

England vs India, 5th Test: Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow hit hundreds as England successfully chased 378 to win the final Test by 7 wickets at Edgbaston. England, who were trailing 1-2 before the Test, managed to draw the series 2-2 vs 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.

However, India still had 377 runs to bowl with and their bowlers ended up conceding their highest total ever in a Test match. It has been a worrying sign for India since the start of the year but this performance in England will and should hurt for a long time.

England openers Alex Lees and Zak Crawley got off to a sensational start in pursuit of a record total. The pair looked comfortable against Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami with the new ball and added 107 for the first wicket. Bumrah returned for a fresh spell to remove Crawley and Ollie Pope, while Lees was run out for 56 following an exchange of words with Virat Kohli. Suddenly, England had lost three wickets in the space of four overs and it looked like India were making one of their fiery comebacks.