IND vs ENG 2nd Test 2025: Steven Finn claims Edgbaston boundaries were shortened to favour Bazball against India

The second Test between India and England got underway at Edgbaston on July 2, Wednesday, where the hosts won the toss and put India to bat first.

As India began their innings on a rather flat surface, one noticeable change at the Birmingham stadium was the ground's dimensions. The longest boundary for the 2nd Test is 65 meters at cow corner, while the straight boundaries are about 60 meters.

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The shortened playing field sparked discussion among experts and fans about how it might benefit England’s batting, especially against spin. Check out what former pacer Steven Finn had to say about the ground dimensions at Edgbaston.

Did ECB deliberately shorten the Edgbaston boundaries?

While building up Day 1 of the 2nd Test of the series for the BBC, Finn noted that the boundary ropes at the venue were set considerably further in than usual.

He believed it was a tactic to assist England’s swashbuckling batting style in Test cricket.

READ MORE: IND vs ENG 2nd Test 2025: Has India ever won a Test match at Edgbaston? Full list of India's winless Test venues

"I am stood by the boundary rope, which is a considerable way in from where you may anticipate for a normal Test match here," the former England bowler said. "England and their propensity to want to win the toss, bowl first and chase in the last innings, maybe is the reason why those boundaries have come so far in."

Why are the boundaries at Edgbaston so short for this Test?@finnysteve has a Bazball-related explanation 🤔#ENGvIND #BBCCricket pic.twitter.com/IdMr2vN0ln

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 2, 2025

This could also be a way to tackle the defensive bowling that the the two spinners India have selected to play in this Test.

How did India fare with Day 1 of the 2nd Test vs England?

After being put in to bat, India lost a wicket early as their Headingley centurion KL Rahul was dismissed for just 2 runs off 26 balls. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Karun Nair added 80 runs for the second wicket as India looked to have finally settled.

Nair fell shortly before lunch for 31poff-50-balls but Jaiswal continued his form and went on to score 87 before falling to Ben Stokes.

At stumps, India are in a promising position as captain Shubman Gill (114* off 216) and Ravindra Jadeja (41* off 67) added an unbeaten 99 runs, ending the day at 310/5.

MORE: IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Shubman Gill's 'flawless' Edgbaston century sets record for lowest false shot percentage in England Tests

Chris Woakes took 2 for 59 at an economy rate of 2.81, while India took full advantage of the short boundaries, hitting 31 fours and one six.

Whether the ground dimensions impacts the result of the match in England's favour remains to be seen. However, such changes certainly helps the chasing team and the hosts have batters in their lineup who could take advantage of such factors in their favour.