Jamie Smith offered admirable final-day resistance but India’s superb bowlers completed a thumping 336-run victory over England in the second Test at Edgbaston to level the series at 1-1.
The hosts largely put aside their attacking instincts, ignoring their target of 608, but were bowled out for 271 with 27 overs left on day five as they attempted to salvage a draw.
In a fine spell of seam bowling after heavy morning rain, Akash Deep had Ollie Pope playing onto his stumps in the third over and then produced a wicked nipbacker to pin Harry Brook lbw for 23.
After Ben Stokes fell in the final over before lunch, ending a partnership lasting 115 balls with Smith, England’s wicketkeeper threw some counter-punches to follow his first-innings 184 not out with 88.
But, having hit four sixes, he holed out on the hook to give the irresistible Deep his first five-wicket haul in his eighth Test.
Amid a sea of Indian support, Deep took the final wicket of Brydon Carse to finish with 6-99 and 10 in the match.
India, whose chances were doubted after England’s fine win in Headingley last week, leave Birmingham with their first Test victory at Edgbaston at the ninth attempt.
It also brilliantly sets up the remainder of the series, which continues at Lord’s on Thursday.