How did Ollie Pope's unbeaten 100 impact England's chase against India?
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Synopsis
In the gripping first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Ollie Pope's impressive unbeaten century gives England hope as they trail India by 262 runs. With both teams showcasing remarkable talent, the stage is set for a thrilling contest. Can England turn the game around on day three?
Key Takeaways
- Ollie Pope's unbeaten century is crucial for England's chase.
- India's batting collapse after a strong start raises concerns.
- Jasprit Bumrah's performance is pivotal for India's bowling attack.
- England's partnership between Pope and Duckett helped stabilize their innings.
- The upcoming day three will be decisive for both teams.
Leeds, June 21 (NationPress) Ollie Pope, the top-order batter, achieved his ninth Test century and remains unbeaten while England trails India by 262 runs, concluding the second day of the first Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at Headingley with a score of 209/3 in 49 overs.
Initially, India was well-positioned for a substantial total, driven by Shubman Gill's career-best 147 and Rishabh Pant's remarkable 134 – his seventh century in this format. However, after Gill's dismissal, India lost their last seven wickets for a mere 41 runs, leading to their all-out score of 471 in 113 overs.
Due to a rain delay, England's innings commenced late, and they faced a daunting challenge from Jasprit Bumrah. Nevertheless, Pope and Ben Duckett forged a partnership of 122 runs for the second wicket, stabilizing England's innings. While Duckett scored 62, Pope continued to impress, notching his ninth Test century with 13 boundaries.
Pope began the final session with a late cut that took him to a half-century off 64 balls. However, Bumrah struck when Duckett chopped onto his stumps, departing for 62 off 94 balls. Pope received a reprieve on 60 when his attempted steer off Bumrah was dropped by Yashasvi Jaiswal at third slip.
Siraj bowled with precision, managing to trap Joe Root lbw for seven, but the decision was overturned upon review. Pope's confidence soared as he found boundaries off Jadeja, Prasidh, and Shardul Thakur, ultimately reaching his century off 125 balls through an inside edge off Bumrah.
However, on the very next delivery, Root edged a ball outside off-stump from Bumrah, resulting in a catch taken by Nair at first slip, marking the tenth time the pacer has dismissed the leading England batter in Tests. Just before lunch, Bumrah had Harry Brook top-edging a pull to mid-wicket, but the wicket did not count as replays showed he had overstepped for the third time in the over.
This moment provided significant relief for England as local player Brook and Pope exited the field after a captivating day, regaining some momentum they had lost on the first day. India, on the other hand, must regroup on day three after a bowling performance that revolved solely around Bumrah.
Brief scores:
India 471 in 113 overs (Shubman Gill 147, Rishabh Pant 134; Ben Stokes 4-66, Josh Tongue 4-86) lead England 209/3 in 49 overs (Ollie Pope 100 not out, Ben Duckett 62; Jasprit Bumrah 3-48) by 262 runs.
Point of View
It's evident that cricket is not just a game but a canvas for stories of resilience and skill. England's ability to rally behind Ollie Pope's outstanding performance speaks volumes about their spirit. As we head into day three, the stakes are higher than ever, and the cricketing world eagerly watches.
NationPress
21/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score at the end of the second day?
At the end of the second day, England was at 209/3, trailing India by 262 runs.
Who scored the highest runs for India?
Shubman Gill scored the highest runs for India with a remarkable 147.
Which bowler claimed three wickets for India?
Jasprit Bumrah claimed three wickets for India, finishing with figures of 3-48.
What was Ollie Pope's batting score at stumps?
Ollie Pope finished the day unbeaten on 100.
How many runs did England need to catch up?
England needed to catch up 262 runs to match India's total.
