A double ton from Gill has India in the driving seat

ENGLAND’S top order buckled under the weight of Shubman Gill’s record-breaking double century, as India took a vice-like grip on the second Rothesay Test.

- BY RORY DOLLARD

Gill scored an imperious 269 on day two at Edgbaston, besting Sunil Gavaskar's claim to the highest ever score by an Indian batter on English soil and Virat Kohli’s mark for the biggest knock by an India captain, as his side posted 587.

That was the most England have conceded since the start of the ‘Bazball’ era three years ago and, after 151 sapping overs in the field, they were ripe for the picking in the evening session.

With attack leader Jasprit Bumrah rested, his replacement Akash Deep stepped up to dismiss first Test centurions Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks with consecutive deliveries.

Zak Crawley followed when he edged Mohammad Siraj behind, leaving England’s inform top three back in the pavilion inside eight overs.

It could have been even worse as Harry Brook made a reckless start but he and Joe Root survived until stumps to reach 77 for three.