Gill fends off England with stylish century to restore balance

At the end of a hard-fought opening day in which just 85 overs were bowled, both sides were happier than some of the punters heard growling about the delays on the way out.

- Ali Martin

India? They had been stuck in and reached 310 for five by stumps courtesy of Shubman Gill's second century of the series. England? They never get too hung up about the runs column and after a victory at Headingley that saw them claim just three wickets on day one, no one could claim to be staggered by Ben Stokes opting to bowl first.

Once again the bet from Stokes was that the surface will stay true to the end and, though fifth days are not a thing in the County Championship, the cricket witnessed at Edgbaston this season supports the theory. Nevertheless, Stokes will be keen to shut down his opposite number on the second morning, with Gill's watchful but typically elegant 114 from 216 balls following an earlier 87 from Yashasvi Jaiswal that was far punchier.

If the five-wicket defeat last week taught India anything it is that they must kick on significantly to take control of this Test match. To that end, and clearly mindful of repeating the two collapses that cost them in Leeds, they have packed their lower order with all-rounders. Ravindra Jadeja is among them and his experience told in the final session, the left-hander's unbeaten 41 helping to add 99 runs alongside Gill.