India v England: Ollie Pope 'masterclass' sets up tourists' 'dream', says Joe Root
- Published
Ollie Pope's 148 not out eclipsed his previous Test best against India of 81 at The Oval
England can "dream the dream" after Ollie Pope's "masterclass" gave them hope of winning the first Test against India, according to Joe Root.
Pope's epic 148 not out took England to 316-6 in their second innings, a lead of 126 after three days in Hyderabad.
"Go to bed and think of what could be tomorrow, then throw everything at the day," Root said.
"We know the opportunity that is ahead of us, but are also very aware of the hard work it will take to get there."
On a superb Saturday of Test cricket, England took the last three India wickets for no runs to bowl the home side out for 436 - a first-innings lead of 190.
The visitors looked in danger of being beaten with two days to spare when they slipped to 163-5, only for Pope to play one of the great overseas knocks by an England batter.
The vice-captain added 112 for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, who made 34, then an unbroken partnership of 41 with Rehan Ahmed. The 19-year-old is 16 not out overnight.
India, who have lost only three of their past 46 home Tests, have never been beaten on home soil in a match where they have secured a first-innings lead of 100 runs.
"They are a hell of a side that don't lose very often here," said former captain Root. "It could be some day tomorrow. That is what Test cricket is all about. Dream the dream."
For Pope, the best innings of his 41-Test career came in remarkable circumstances.
On a difficult surface, against a world-class attack and with England in a dire situation, Pope's superb effort came in his first competitive match of any kind since dislocating his shoulder in July.
The Surrey man did so after showing no sort of form in the first innings, when he made a skittish one from 11 balls.
Root, who is the all-time leading run-scorer against India in Tests, said: "From all the tours and time I've played out here, I've not seen anything like that.
"It was an absolute masterclass on how to play in these conditions. From what he has been through, to have all that time away, to come back and deliver like that shows his character and skill as a player.
"I'm so pleased for him. He works really hard and he deserves everything that comes his way."
India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta, who played eight Tests, said: "It is one of the best innings I have seen by an overseas batter in India. I can't think of many as good as this.
"What makes it so special is his attacking intent, the way he has attacked the India bowlers on a very bowler-friendly surface.
"For anyone who hasn't seen his innings yet, I can only say that you have to find some highlights."
Regardless of the result, Pope's knock evoked memories of a similar backs-to-the-wall century made by Alastair Cook in the first Test of England's tour of India in 2012.
England lost that Test, but Cook's knock was the catalyst for a swing in momentum that saw them go on to win the series 2-1, the last time India were beaten at home.
"One thing that is really important for us to take is that this is a five-match series," said Root, who made his Test debut on the 2012 tour.
"There's a lot of cricket to be played. We have shown we are well up for this series and we have the tools and capability to compete in these conditions. Whatever happens tomorrow, we have laid a very good marker down for what is to come."
Root took four wickets with his off-breaks in India's first innings, partly picking up the slack left by a knee injury to leading spinner Jack Leach.
Leach bowled only one over on Saturday and is struggling with a recurring swelling to his knee.
"The surface will change again tomorrow," said Root. "I can't see it getting any better so whatever we do, however many we get, is only going to be a bonus for us.
"It will give us a real chance of getting the result we want."