Ollie Pope gives England hope with 'truly phenomenal' century against India in first Test

Ollie Pope led the resistance with a brilliant, battling century as England fought hard to keep the first Test against India alive in Hyderabad.

Faced with the unenviable task of overturning a 190-run first-innings deficit, the vice-captain dug deep to make an unbeaten 148 as his side found their way to 316-6 at stumps on Day 3.

While the tourists still have plenty of work ahead of them to turn the pressure fully back on India, they showed admirable steel to build a lead of 126 with four wickets still in hand.

“It was a brilliant day of cricket for us,” England batter Joe Root said. “The way we played and went about it from the very beginning – we were very clinical with the ball and didn't let them capitalise on what they did yesterday.

“The way Ollie played was an absolute masterclass on how to bat in this part of the world. It was truly phenomenal.

“He consistently made the right decisions under pressure, in the big moments in a big game. We are all so chuffed for him to lay a marker down like that early in the series, to get us back into the series.

“We're going to keep playing how we play. Ollie recognised certain situations throughout the game, he managed the reverse swing but also was able to manipulate the field and pick it up when he had to as well.”

Root has long been England’s standard-bearer in Asia, where he has scored five centuries, but suggested the torch has now been passed on.

“I think that’s the benchmark,” he said. “I might have scored a few runs in the sub-continent but not on a surface like that, against an attack like that."

Ollie Pope shining in Hyderabad ✨ pic.twitter.com/0OVUbWf7Ws

Pope’s fifth Test hundred marked a welcome return after six months out following surgery on a dislocated shoulder.