Edgbaston Test: Rain Threat Looms as India Eyes Series-Leveling Victory Over England

The final day of the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston faces the threat of disruption as weather forecasts predict rain, potentially hindering India's chances of securing a series-leveling win.

Shubman Gill celebrates his century against England.

India currently holds a commanding position in the match, largely thanks to the exceptional batting performance of captain Shubman Gill. Gill made history by achieving scores of 250 and 150 in the same match. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep further bolstered India's position by striking with the new ball, increasing the tourists' chances of a series-equalizing victory.

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

India declared their 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 indicate overcast skies and light showers between 9 am and 11 am, potentially delaying the start of play and offering assistance to seam bowlers due to lingering moisture on the pitch.

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

Historically, the highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test cricket belongs to the West Indies, who scored 418 against Australia in St John's in 2003.

England's own record is 378, achieved against India at Edgbaston three years prior.

At the close of play on Saturday, England were 72-3, requiring a further 536 runs on the final day.

Mohammed 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.

Akash Deep, replacing the world's top-ranked fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, continued his impressive performance by bowling left-hander Ben Duckett (25) with a delivery that nipped back.

Deep then clean bowled Joe Root for just six, with the world's number one-ranked Test batsman undone by a superb full-length ball that moved away late.