The hosts Ollie Pope’s strong unbroken century and his partnership with Ben Duckett were key factors in England’s spectacular comeback in the current first Test match against India. Under tremendous duress, the duo put up a vital 122-run partnership that limited India’s early domination.
With Ollie Pope remaining at the crease, England’s score at stumps on Day 2 was 209 for 3, 262 runs behind India’s first-inning total of 471.
Ollie Pope handled the pressure effectively and helped his team get back into the game against India’s top pacer, Jasprit Bumrah. Duckett praised the No. 3 hitter after making 62 before losing to Bumrah.
“I simply believe that he exuded such composure. Given the harsher circumstances—Jasprit (Bumrah) rushing down the hill with the lights on—he most likely couldn’t go outside. It was a terrific partnership with him since I believe he was around 50 or run a ball 50 at one point. I usually enjoy spending time with him in the middle, and when he reached 100, I felt chills. What it meant to him was evident. It was wonderful to see him there at 100 not out since he plays such a significant role in the dressing room,” Duckett remarked.
England makes a spectacular return.
After Shubman Gill’s 147 and Rishabh Pant’s 134 helped the visitors reach 430/3 earlier in the day, India sought to post a higher total. They bundled out for 471 after losing seven wickets for 41 runs in just 68 balls due to a post-lunch collapse.
Bumrah, meanwhile, was brilliant with the ball and got rid of Zak Crawley in the opening over. Notably, Pope survived several opportunities, coming just short on 10 and avoiding an LBW on 34 before being dropped by Yashasvi Jaiswal on 60, all thanks to Bumrah’s bowling. Duckett was dropped by Jadeja on 15. The only bowler from India to put up a fight was Bumrah, who finished the day with figures of 3 for 48. In the last over, he had Harry Brook caught, but a frontfoot no-ball denied him. He also got rid of Duckett, Joe Root (28), and Crawley.
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