NEW DELHI:
India skipper Rohit Sharma
rated
Ollie Pope
's incredible daddy ton as 'one of the best' in Indian conditions after England scripted a historic win in the first Test in Hyderabad on Sunday.
A magical 196 from Pope in the second innings was followed by a seven-for on Test debut from left-arm spinner
Tom Hartley
as England pulled off a remarkable turnaround to register an unlikely win and go 1-0 up in the series.
Heaping praise on the England vice-captain Pope, Rohit also admitted his side didn't bat well in the second innings as 231 was quite gettable according to the India skipper.
"Hard to pinpoint where it went wrong. With a lead of 190 we were in control but exceptional batting - probably one of the best I've seen in Indian conditions, well played Ollie Pope. I thought 230 was gettable but it wasn't to be. Though we bowled in the right areas (in second innings), we analysed what went well and what didn't. But you've got to take your hat off and say well played to Pope," Rohit said at the post-match presentation.
Chasing 231 for victory in the fourth innings, India folded for 202 in the extended final session on the penultimate day as England managed to stun the hosts. Skipper Rohit (39), who was the top scorer in the second innings, admitted India weren't brave enough in the chase.
"Hard to look at one or two things. We didn't bat well enough to get to that score. I wanted them (Siraj and Bumrah) to take the game to the fifth day. (Last pair) 20-30 runs, anything is possible. The lower order fought well and showed the top order (what to do). We didn't take some chances but that can happen. You need to be brave enough, which I thought we weren't," Rohit said.
The second Test commences from February 2 in Visakhapatnam
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