Watch: Ollie Pope plays audacious reverse-scoop off Ravindra Jadeja, reminds fans of Tillakaratne Dilshan

England batsman Ollie Pope led England’s charge on Day 3 of the first IND vs ENG Test match being played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Pope was unbeaten on 148 runs from 208 balls, as the visitors finished the day at 316/6 in 77 overs. Pope has hit a total of 17 fours during his innings and will look forward to converting it into a big double hundred.

Apart from slamming a marvelous hundred, Ollie Pope also played a shot that remembered the cricket fans of former Sri Lanka opener Tillakaratne Dilshan. Pope played a scoop shot to Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja that went over the wicketkeeper KS Bharat for a boundary. The incident took place on the 4th ball of the 70th over of the second innings, and probably, Pope reminded fans of the famous ‘dilscoop’.

Watch: Ollie Pope reminds fans of Tillakaratne Dilshan during the first IND vs ENG 1st Test

One of the great innings for England by Ollie Pope in India today. Genius.

What do you call this shot? pic.twitter.com/haHPQQ5qey

— Matthew Stadlen (@MatthewStadlen) January 27, 2024

Though, Tillakaratne Dilshan never played this shot to a left-arm spinner. He always used to guide the medium pacers easily over the wicket keepers head for fours and sixes. However, it would have Ravindra Jadeja’s pace, which might have allowed Ollie Pope to play the shot more effortlessly and easily.

India were wrapped up for 436 runs in their first innings and got a lead. Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was dismissed for 87 runs and he missed out on a well-deserved hundred. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal also missed out on centuries and scored 86 and 80 runs respectively.

England were provided a decent start yet again by the England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. The duo added 45 runs for the first wicket and helped the team get a stable start. Crawley was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin whereas Duckett lost his off stump to Jasprit Bumrah. Soon after Duckett’s departure, Bumrah caught Joe Root in front of the wickets for 2 runs.

The wickets continued to tumble from one end as Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow were also dismissed cheaply for 6 and 10 runs respectively. Ollie Pope got the much-needed support from Ben Foakes and along with him, Pope put up a stand of 112 runs from 183 balls. Foakes was dismissed for 34 runs from 81 balls. At the end of Day 3, England lead by 126 runs and will aim to post a big target for the Indian cricket team.

Indian bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin picked up 2 wickets each whereas, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja ended Day 3 with 1 wicket apiece.

Previously, England were wrapped up for 246 runs in their first innings and captain Ben Stokes was the top run scorer with 70 runs from 88 balls. Indian spinners shared 8 of the 10 wickets amongst them and in return, India gained an 189-run lead while batting in reply to England’s first-innings score.

India will want to make a winning start to the five-match series to add necessary points to the World Test Championship standings.