HYDERABAD — England staged a spirited fightback on day two of the first Test against India, thanks to Ollie Pope’s defiant unbeaten century, but Jasprit Bumrah’s late strike to remove Joe Root tilted the balance slightly back in the hosts' favor.
Pope’s Gritty Century Rescues England
Facing a daunting first-innings deficit of 190 runs, England’s batting lineup needed a hero, and Ollie Pope answered the call with a masterful 148* off 208 balls. The Surrey batter, playing his first Test in India, showcased remarkable composure against a relentless spin attack led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. "It’s one of my best knocks, given the conditions and the quality of the bowling," Pope said at stumps.
His innings was punctuated by:
- Precise footwork against spin, using the sweep and reverse-sweep effectively
- Sharp running between the wickets, converting singles into doubles
- Patience in defense, weathering a fiery spell from Bumrah
Bumrah’s Late Strike Shifts Momentum
Just as England seemed to be gaining control, Jasprit Bumrah produced a moment of brilliance in the final hour. With the second new ball, he trapped Joe Root (29) lbw with a searing yorker, leaving England at 316/6 at close. "That’s why Bumrah is world-class—he delivers when it matters," remarked India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey.
Key Moments of the Day
The day’s play swung back and forth:
- Morning session: England lost Ben Duckett early, but Pope and Zak Crawley steadied the ship with an 84-run stand.
- Post-lunch: Jadeja struck twice, removing Crawley (42) and Jonny Bairstow (10), but Pope held firm.
- Evening session: Pope and Root added 112 runs before Bumrah’s breakthrough.
What Lies Ahead
With England leading by 126 runs and Pope still at the crease, the match hangs in the balance. India will look to wrap up the tail quickly, while England will aim for a lead of 200+ to put pressure on the hosts. "Day three could decide the Test," said former England captain Nasser Hussain.
The pitch, showing increasing turn and variable bounce, suggests spinners will dominate as the game progresses. England’s lower order, including Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley, will need to support Pope to build a competitive total.
As the teams walked off, the consensus was clear: Pope’s heroics had kept England alive, but Bumrah’s late intervention ensured India still held the edge. "This Test is far from over," summed up commentator Harsha Bhogle.