Watch: Ollie Pope receives standing ovation from crowd following remarkable century in 1st IND vs ENG Test
Published - 28 Jan 2024, 02:43 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 10:23 AM
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Young England batter Ollie Pope delivered one of his career-best performances during the ongoing first Test of the five-match series against India. Ollie Pope received applause from his teammates and a standing ovation from the crowd at the stadium in Hyderabad.
The England vice-captain played a pivotal role in his team’s second innings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. He scored 196 runs off 278 balls with 21 boundaries. His remarkable knock helped set a target of 231 runs for India in the opening match of the series.
India’s premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, dismissed Ollie Pope to conclude England’s second innings. Pope was deceived by Bumrah’s well-executed slower delivery while attempting a reverse scoop. He was the final wicket to fall as the delivery crashed into the stumps.
Watch – Ollie Pope Receives Standing Ovation From Crowd
Following his remarkable innings, Ollie Pope received widespread recognition from the Indian players, with almost the entire team offering handshakes and gestures of appreciation. He also received a standing ovation from both Indian and English fans at the stadium.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) captured the moment and shared the video on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). The caption read, “A special reception for a very special innings. Loving that grin, @OPope32.”
Standing ovation for Ollie Pope from the Hyderabad crowd! #Pope #Olliepope #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/vUh9ePd6PU
— Kartik Kannan (@kartik_kannan) January 28, 2024
A special reception for a very special innings 👏 ❤️
Loving that grin, @OPope32 😁 #INDvENG | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/OTTU3oSRX4
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 28, 2024
Ollie Pope Added Crucial Runs With Lower Added Batters In Second Innings
Pope struggled in the first inning, scoring just one run off 11 balls. However, the right-handed batter showcased resilience in the second innings. He added a 257-run partnership with the lower-order batsmen, number 7 to 11, contributing significantly to England’s total.
Pope shared a 112-run stand with Ben Foakes, rescuing the team from a challenging situation at 163-5. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Rehan Ahmed for 28 runs early on Day 4. However, Pope continued to build with debutant Tom Hartley, adding 80 runs for the eighth wicket.
The Indian bowlers made a comeback by picking up three wickets in quick succession to bundle out the opposition team. England lost their last three wickets by adding just one run. The home team needs to score 231 runs in the final innings to secure victory in the match.
Ollie Pope Still Trusted His Front Foot Game – Sanjay Manjrekar
The former Indian cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar, highlighted Ollie Pope’s adjustment in approach during the second innings. Manjrekar recommended that Shubman Gill could benefit from adopting a similar style in his batting.
“There was one very important difference in the way he (Pope) played in the first as opposed to the second. He still trusted his front foot game, but if you look at the first few balls that he faced, he got onto the front foot, but it was a very purposeful reaction and effort where he was looking for ones and twos; he was looking to score. That’s something Shubman Gill could incorporate into his batting because he also likes to get onto the front foot,” Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.
Also read: “Ollie Pope is happiest walking his dog in the countryside..”- Stuart Broad
