Ollie Pope delivered an exceptional performance in the first Test between India and England at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. The 26-year-old batsman scored an impressive 196 in the second innings, narrowly missing a well-deserved double-century. The Three Lions were eventually all-out for 420, securing a lead of 230 runs. Now, India needs to chase 231 runs to win the Test match.
Ollie Pope, who was dismissed for just a run in the first innings, caught in the slips off Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery, showcased remarkable cricket in the second innings. England’s vice-captain achieved his fifth Test century but fell short of a potential double hundred. He played a crucial role in four 50+ partnerships during the innings and batted from no.3 to no.11 in the game.
Ollie Pope received a standing ovation
Standing ovation for Ollie Pope from the Hyderabad crowd! #Pope #Olliepope #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/vUh9ePd6PU
— Kartik Kannan (@kartik_kannan) January 28, 2024
England has set a challenging target of 231 runs for India to chase in the fourth innings. Ravichandran Ashwin claimed three wickets, and Jasprit Bumrah took four in the innings, showcasing their effectiveness with the ball. Ollie Pope has proven to be a formidable force against the Indian bowling attack on this spin-friendly track with his remarkable innings.
Meanwhile, Twitter is abuzz with fans praising Pope’s innings and labeling him a high-quality player. Some fans draw comparisons to former England batter Ian Bell, acknowledging Pope’s promising potential in red-ball cricket. Despite playing 39 Test matches for England, Pope has not yet debuted in white-ball cricket. As the vice-captain of the England Test cricket team, Ollie Pope displayed responsibility in crafting a crucial innings against India in a challenging situation.
Check out the reactions of fans:
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