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THE TIMES OF INDIA | Jan 28, 2024, 07:58:12 IST
IND vs ENG 1st Test Live Updates: Ollie Pope scored a hundred to help England storm back into the first Test against India on Day 3 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Pope finished the day at 148 not out and put on three vital partnerships as England reached 316-6 in 77 overs in the second innings, taking a 126-run lead at stumps. This was after India was bowled out for 436 in their reply to England's 246 in the first innings. The hosts had taken a 190-run lead but it was wiped off nearly by the tea break. Post-lunch, England's game plan of playing reverse sweep against spin worked wonders. Pope and Ben Duckett extended their second-wicket partnership to 68 runs. Their stand came off only 57 balls and unnerved the Indian camp, which brought on Jasprit Bumrah to counter with pace. Bumrah got the ball reversing and bowled Duckett for 47 runs. He faced 52 balls, hitting seven fours in all. The Indian speedster got a second wicket without delay, trapping Joe Root for just two runs as England were down to 117-3 in 21 overs. There was a mini-partnership between Pope and Jonny Bairstow — worth 23 runs — before the latter was bowled shouldering arms to Ravindra Jadeja. Despite that success, Jadeja went for runs through the day and finished with 1-101 in 26 overs, bowling only one maiden. Ravichandran Ashwin also picked a wicket, bowling Ben Stokes (6) with a sharp off-spinner. England were suddenly five-down and went to tea at 172-5.