Persistent morning showers at Edgbaston forced officials to delay the scheduled start of the fifth day of the second Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test between England and India. Ground staff kept the covers on as rain left the outfield wet, with both boards confirming no overs had been lost yet but play would not begin until conditions improved. India remain within seven wickets of victory after declaring their second innings at 427 for six late on Day Four, giving England an imposing target of 608. England limped to 72 for three by stumps, still 536 runs adrift, after new-ball bursts from Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj removed Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Joe Root. Captain Shubman Gill’s brisk 161 bolstered India’s position, taking his match tally to 430 runs. Forecasts indicate the heaviest rain should pass before midday, raising hopes of enough playing time for a result. A win would hand India their first Test success at Edgbaston and square the five-match series at 1-1, while England need to bat out the day or chase a world-record target to avoid defeat.