Pope's Majestic Century Puts England in Command on Day 3 in Hyderabad

Ollie Pope's masterful unbeaten 148* steered England to a commanding 126-run lead at the end of a dramatic Day 3 in the first Test against India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The 25-year-old right-hander displayed exceptional skill and temperament, anchoring England's innings after they had been reduced to 52/3 early on.

India's Solid First Innings:

India resumed their first innings on 421/7 and added another 15 runs before being bowled out for 436. Ravindra Jadeja, who remained unbeaten on 87(180), was the last man dismissed, caught brilliantly by Ben Stokes at slip off James Anderson. Jasprit Bumrah's fiery spell of 4/55 kept England at bay in the final overs, ensuring India ended the first session with a healthy lead of 190 runs.

Pope's Resolute Batting:

Facing a daunting task in the second innings, England lost Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow, and Joe Root cheaply, leaving them in a precarious position. However, Pope, in partnership with Ben Duckett (33), started rebuilding the innings with patience and determination. After Duckett's dismissal, Pope found able allies in Dan Lawrence (46) and Ben Stokes (34), forging crucial partnerships that kept the scoreboard ticking.

Pope's Century and England's Dominance:

As the day progressed, Pope grew in confidence and reached his century off 208 balls with a delightful flick through midwicket. He continued to bat aggressively, dispatching boundaries at will and ensuring England ended the day on a strong note. By stumps, England had reached 316/6, putting them firmly in control of the Test match.

Key Takeaways:

• Ollie Pope's unbeaten century was the highlight of the day, showcasing his class and composure in a challenging situation.
• England's bowlers, led by James Anderson (3/80), did well to restrict India's lead in the first innings.
• India's spinners, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, failed to make an impact in the second innings, allowing England to bat freely.
• England will be aiming to extend their lead on Day 4 and put themselves in a position to win the first Test.

Looking Ahead:

With a sizeable lead and Pope in commanding form, England will be the firm favorites heading into Day 4. However, India still has a potent bowling attack and the home advantage, so the match is far from over. The next two days promise to be thrilling as both teams battle it out for Test glory in Hyderabad.