Before weaving his magic with the red ball on England pitches, right-arm quick Akash Deep was navigating a far more difficult terrain — hospital corridors, not cricket stadiums.
The successful chase of 378 is also the highest they have chased ever in Test cricket.
India are staring at defeat on the final day of the contest with England well-paced on 259/3 and requiring just 119 runs to win the contest and level the series 2-2.
On a day on which rain chose not to interrupt play, England made merry as Root and Bairstow went back to the dressing room after making 76 off 110 balls and 73 off 89 deliveries respectively.
Gaining a 132-run lead after Mohammed Siraj picked four wickets while Jasprit Bumrah scalped three in a second session comeback to bowl out England for 284 in 61.3 overs, with Jonny Bairstow making a belligerent 106.
Agarwal, 31, had initially been left out of India's squad for the Edgbaston Test named in May this year. But a right groin injury to K.L Rahul, which ruled him out of the home T20I series against South Africa in June and Sharma's availability in doubt due to testing positive for Covid-19 means that Agarwal is now on his way to Birmingham to join the Test squad.
Cricket Australia selectors are set to name the Ashes squad at the end of the four-day game between Hick XII, led by Paine and Haddin XII captained by Travis Head.
