Joe Root was all praise for Ollie Pope's scintillating centurion knock on Day 3 of the first Test between India and England on January 25. Ollie Pope led England's fightback with a scorching yet unbeaten hundred on Day 3 to keep the first Test against India alive in Hyderabad. Apparently it was Ollie Pope's first Test against India. Riding on his unbeaten 148, Pope helped England take a significant lead of 126 runs, overtaking India's earlier lead of 190. Joining Pope in the crease is spinner Rehan Ahmed, who has scored 16 runs, with England ending the day at 316/6 in their second innings. In addition to Pope's crucial knock, opener Ben Duckett scored 47 runs, and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes made an important contribution of 34 runs.
Root in awe of Ollie Pope's fighting ton
Meanwhile, England former skipper Root, who could only score two runs in the second innings, lavished praise on Pope for his rescuing act on Day 3 of the first Test against India. Root said that Pope's knock was an absolute masterclass on how to score runs in this part of the world (India).
"The way that Popey played in particular has been an absolute masterclass on how to score runs in this part of the world, when you're not used to playing here. To be able to consistently make the right decision under pressure, in big moments and big games," Root said after the match.
"A brilliant day's cricket. The way that we went about it from the very start, we were so clinical with the ball and made it very difficult for them to capitalise on what they did yesterday. And that opening stand, it could have been very tricky to lose couple of early wickets but they've been so good for the last couple of years getting us off to brilliant starts. And then we had a couple of partnerships that followed, that had to get through a tricky phase when it was reversing," Root added.
Pope's innings was a display of sheer brilliance, taking 206 minutes to reach his century. His proficiency in both the sweep and reverse sweep was outstanding, compelling Ashwin to alter his bowling strategy. Given England's precarious situation, it was a bold and impressive effort from Pope as he took England from 140/4 to 316/6. On a slow pitch, he skillfully handled Bumrah's intense bowling and effectively used the sweep shot against the spinners, marking himself as the series' first centurion. Pope did have a stroke of luck when Axar dropped him at backward point off Jadeja's bowling, after which he resumed his aggressive reverse-sweeping.
Axar later redeemed himself by ending the century partnership, dismissing Foakes with a faster delivery that stayed low, sneaking under the bat to hit the off-stump. As the day neared its end, England's lead exceeded to 126 runs, with Pope offering a masterclass in batting to his teammates, characterised by both courage and finesse.
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