England batter Ollie Pope etched his name in the annals of Test cricket by delivering a match-changing knock of 196 against India in the 1st Test at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Pope’s exceptional innings not only left England’s captain Joe Root in awe but also propelled him into an exclusive club, surpassing the likes of Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar and joining the legendary Garfield Sobers.
On the fourth day of the Test match, Pope showcased his prowess with the bat, steering England to a commanding position. The premier batter’s remarkable form continued as he played a stellar knock, rewriting Test history in the process. Despite being given a lifeline by KL Rahul at 186, Pope couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity to reach a double century but fell just four runs short.
Pope’s innings of 196 was enough to secure his place in the elite list of England players who have scored a double century in India, alongside luminaries such as Joe Root, Mike Gatting, and Graeme Fowler. His innings was a testament to his growing stature in red-ball cricket and showcased his ability to perform under pressure against a formidable Indian bowling attack.
Jasprit Bumrah, returning to the attack after crucial breakthroughs by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, finally dismissed Pope in the 102nd over, bringing an end to England’s innings. Pope’s contribution earned him the fourth spot in the list of batters with the highest individual scores in the second innings as a visiting player against India.
In achieving this feat, Ollie Pope surpassed the record set by Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar, who had scored 188* against India in Kolkata back in 1999. Only Andy Flower (232*), Brendon McCullum (225), and Garfield Sobers (198) have managed to score more in the second innings as visiting batters against the formidable Indian team.
While England’s Graham Gooch still holds the record for the highest individual score against India in Test cricket with his monumental 333 in 1990, Ollie Pope’s masterclass against Rohit Sharma’s Team India on Day 4 played a pivotal role in the visitors staging a remarkable comeback in the series opener.
England beat India by 28 runs in the first Test
Debutant Tom Hartley turned the game around for England, securing a stunning seven-wicket haul against India. In a remarkable comeback, England’s spinners outshone their Indian counterparts in the first innings, with Joe Root emerging as the most effective bowler. Despite India’s initial lead of 190, England persevered, ultimately claiming an impressive come-from-behind victory.
Facing adversity at 163/5, England, led by vice-captain Ollie Pope, displayed resilience on day three. Pope’s aggressive sweeps and reverse sweeps troubled the Indian spinners. Despite being dropped twice, Pope capitalized on the chances, scoring a remarkable 196. His partnerships with Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, and Hartley not only offered hope but also set a match-winning score.
Pope’s impact extended beyond his batting prowess. After his stellar innings, he took on the role of a close-in fielder, grabbing two sharp catches off Hartley’s bowling to dismiss Jaiswal and Gill. Hartley continued to trouble the Indian batting lineup, claiming key wickets.
Despite some resistance from Bharat and Ashwin, England’s consistent spinners, led by Hartley, applied pressure, leading to a collapse in the final session. England’s dominance in the latter stages secured a remarkable victory in the Hyderabad Test, turning the tables on India, who had initially dominated the first two days of the match.