In the unforgiving arena of Hyderabad, where the conditions pose a challenge even for the most seasoned cricketers, an Englishman took centre stage and crafted an innings of substance. Scoring a hundred on Indian soil is no small feat, and within the historic walls of the cricket ground, Pope accomplished what many consider a monumental task. His innings, marked by resilience and precision, not only showcased his cricketing prowess but also added a new chapter to the narrative of English batsmen conquering the formidable conditions of Indian pitches.
In the history of English cricket in India, moments like Ollie Pope’s innings in Hyderabad are as rare as a sunny day in London. You might recall Greame Flower and Mike Gatting notching up double tons in Chennai back in 1985 or Kevin Pietersen’s stormy 186 in Mumbai. Then there’s the sturdy resistance from Cook and Root in challenging conditions. But Pope’s knock was in a league of its own. Facing a top-notch Indian attack keen on domination after a hefty lead of 190, and there goes Pope, scoring at a pace that even die-hard English fans wouldn’t have dared to dream. It’s the kind of cricket magic that leaves you nodding in appreciation.
Before the Hyderabad innings, Ollie Pope’s cricket stats in India were nothing to write home about. They were below average, to be honest. His first innings dismissal didn’t help either, and many thought Pope was heading towards another mediocre series in India. Flashback to his last tour there, and you’ll find an average hovering around 20s, with the highest score being just 34 across four test matches. Confidence in Pope wasn’t exactly sky-high. But, as they say, cricket has a way of surprising everyone.
Facing the formidable spin trio of Ashwin, Jadeja, and Axar on a turning track, Ollie Pope had a plan. Before the series, he made headlines, predicting complaints about the pitch and expressing readiness to face top-class spinners. Little did we know, Pope had a bag of tricks up his sleeve. He unleashed a variety of sweeps, reverse-sweeps, and even introduced a scoop over the keeper, now famously known as the Pope-scoop. His innovative approach took everyone by surprise and played a key role in his impressive knock of 196.
Looking back at the 2020-2021 series in India, Ollie Pope’s technique against spin wasn’t at its best. Minimal foot movements, using hard hands, and struggling to rotate strike against spinners had him struggling throughout. His first innings dismissal in Hyderabad mirrored those past troubles, and many expected more of the same. Even in the second innings, the first 20 balls looked shaky, with Pope appearing jittery and in disarray.
However, a well-timed cover drive against Axar boosted his confidence. From there, Pope quickly shifted gears and seemed to master the art of using soft hands, dropping the ball near point for easy runs. He effortlessly switch-hit against Axar and Jadeja, handled Ashwin’s variations comfortably, and even predicted Bumrah’s reverse swing. It turned into a clean, controlled batting display that showcased a remarkable turnaround in his approach.
Many of us thought we wouldn’t witness anything like Kevin Pietersen’s dismantling of Indian spinners in Mumbai back in 2012, where he disrupted their lengths. Hyderabad brought back similar vibes when Pope unleashed his variety of shots.
The Indian spin trio seemed unsure and mentally shaken. Pope’s innings achieved something unprecedented since Ashwin and Jadeja began bowling together in Tests – it was the first time both of them conceded over 100 runs in the second innings of a test match. Pope’s performance left a lasting impact on the seasoned Indian spinners.
Ollie Pope’s Test career
M: 39
RUNS: 2333
Average: 36.45
50s/100s: 11/5
HS: 205
For an aspiring English batter, earning a spot on the honours board at Lord’s is a coveted achievement. Many have succeeded in that quest, but very few can boast a subcontinent hundred in a third innings, especially after trailing by a massive 190 runs against world-class spinners. Ollie Pope, however, turned this into a reality with his remarkable comeback, scoring an impressive 196 in Hyderabad.
It’s the stuff dreams are made of—a narrative of resilience, skill, and the unwavering determination to leave an indelible mark on the challenging landscapes of international cricket.
