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‘Knock to be remembered for a long long time’- Fans reacts to Ollie Pope’s 196 against India in Test

England vice-captain Ollie Pope had an innings to remember, blasting 196 runs to assist his team to 420 runs in their second innings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Jan 28, 2024 1:46 pm

England vice-captain Ollie Pope had an innings to remember, blasting 196 runs to assist his team to 420 runs in their second innings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

In the first Test of their five-match series against India, Pope made 196 runs from 278 balls, which includes 21 fours. His innings helped England score 420 runs, giving India a 231-run target to win in Hyderabad.

Pope scored the fourth-highest individual score against India in Tests, trailing only Joe Root (218 in 2021), Mike Gatting (207 in 1985), and Graeme Fowler (201 in 1985). Ollie Pope became the first visiting hitter to score 150 or more runs in the second innings of an Indian Test since 2013. Pope passed the 150-run mark early on Day 4 to extend England’s lead before Jasprit Bumrah struck to dismiss Rehan Ahmed in the opening session.

Ollie Pope dominated India on Day 3 of the first Test match

India went with the second new ball after Pope proved the spinners ineffectual in the first session. After a 64-run stand with Rehan, Pope and debutant Tom Hartley combined for an 80-run partnership to propel England above the 400-run milestone. Pope was given a lifeline when KL Rahul missed an easy chance at first slip while batting at 186.

After scoring 436 runs in their first innings, India picked up early wickets to put pressure on England, with Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin taking two each. Bumrah dismissed Ben Duckett and Joe Root, while Ashwin took the wicket of opener Zak Crawley and Ben Stokes for the 12th in his test career to bring India back into the match. Pope, on the other hand, acted as the anchor and, despite losing wickets all around him, he kept the scoreboard ticking with some incredible stroke play. England’s vice-captain used sweeps and reverse sweeps to perfection against the Indian spinners.

With Ben Foakes he put a partnership of 112 runs. He also scored his first century against India and fifth overall. At the end of Day 3, he was unbeaten on 148 runs and helped England to get a lead of 126 runs. In the last 12 years, India has not lost a Test series at home. The last defeat at home came against England in 2012 under the leadership of Alastair Cook. Later India defeated England twice that home in 2017 and 2021.

Here are the reactions of fans to Ollie Pope’s innings:

So sad for him..well played

— Magry Zakir (@zakir_magry) January 28, 2024

What a innings by ollie pope, a innings to remember from ages 🔥

— Kirkett (@bhaskar_sanu08) January 28, 2024

Missed well deserved double century by 4 run

— CHAMFUK CHACHA (@chamfukchacha) January 28, 2024

What a fabulous player

— Ankit Verma (@TechyWicket) January 28, 2024

Absolutely Unbelievable stuff from Ollie Pope, Match is on for England and the series opener have shown that it's won't be easy for 🇮🇳

— Anish Verma (@anishverma1985) January 28, 2024