Ollie Pope buzzing after match-winning 196 in Hyderabad: Head and shoulders above anything I’ve done
England vice-captain Ollie Pope was buzzing after his match-winning knock against India, saying it was head and shoulders above anything he’s done in Test cricket.
Pope scored 196 runs in the second innings to guide his side to a 28-run win over India in a thrilling encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
England beat India by 28 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium to take a 1-0 lead in their five-match Test series. Pope was adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ for his brilliant knock in the second innings.
In a video released by England cricket, Pope spoke about his innings in Hyderabad, saying it was head and shoulder above anything he’s done. Pope scored 196 runs off 278 balls, smashing 21 boundaries in the second innings.
“Guys are telling me I won’t play a better knock, and that’s absolutely fine. I was really happy with that. I’ve had a long time out – seven months. So, to come back and do this on the big stage in India is head and shoulders above anything I have done,” said Pope.
He went on to call England’s win in Hyderabad one of their best, adding that the victory hasn’t sunk in yet. Pope registered the fourth-highest individual Test score in India by an English batter, behind only Joe Root (218 in 2021), Mike Gatting (207 in 1985) and Graeme Fowler (201 in 1985).
“What a win! It’s probably not quite sunk in what we have done yet. That’s a brilliant Indian side that we have beaten on home soil in their conditions. To come back from where we did is an unbelievable achievement. Probably one of our best, if not the best,” Pope added.
ALL CLASS: KAIF LAUDS POPE’S KNOCK
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif said Pope showed the world how to bat in Indian conditions. Pope became the first visiting batter to register a 150-plus score in the second innings of a Test in India since 2013.
“Don’t remember the last time I saw our bowlers running out of ideas at home and that tells something about the brilliance of Pope. All class! Just showed the world how to bat in these conditions,” Kaif posted on ‘X’.
Having lost the first Test, India will be looking to bounce back when the two sides lock horns in the second match of the series, set to be held at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium at Vizag on February 2.