Twitter Reactions: Defiant Ollie Pope helps England gain 126-run lead on Day 3

The Day 3 of the India vs England first Test was full of action as the game is precariously hanging in balance at stumps with England on 316/6 leading by 126 runs. Ollie Pope frustrated India with his magnificent century 148* (208) in the third session making England’s lead threatening for the hosts with every run.

Earlier in the day, India couldn’t add a lot to their overnight total of 421/7 as Joe Root (4/79) cleaned up the tail dismissing Ravindra Jadeja for (87). In their second innings, England once again got off to a good start as openers Zak Crawley (31 off 33) and Ben Duckett (47 off 52) added 45 runs for the first wicket.

Ravichandran Ashwin broke the stand dismissing Crawley in the 10^th over. However, Duckett continued to keep the scoreboard ticking along with Ollie Pope with the duo adding 68 runs for the second wicket.

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Seeing England running away with the game, India captain Rohit Sharma brought Jasprit Bumrah into the attack and the speedster responded immediately by shattering Duckett’s stumps and later got the big wicket of Joe Root (2 off 6) trapping him in front of the stumps.

After the two quick blows, spinners also got into the act as Ravindra Jadeja cleaned up Jonny Bairstow’s (10 off 24) stumps who made an error in judgement. On the other hand, Ashwin got the big wicket of Ben Stokes (6 off 33) shattering his stumps with a peach.

Ollie Pope brought up his fifth Test hundred

However, Ollie Pope continued to bat positively and took England’s score past India’s first innings lead. He was well supported by Ben Foakes (34 off 81) as the duo added 112 runs for the sixth wicket helping their side get a lead of 85 runs. During the partnership, the Indian team looked flat in the middle as they did numerous mis-fields and even dropped Pope to aid England’s cause.

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Axar Patel turned out to be the man with the golden arm and broke the threatening stand by dismantling Foakes’ stumps. At the other end, Pope brought up his 5^th Test hundred and kept England’s hopes alive. He remained unbeaten on (148*) and took them to stumps at 316/6 along with Rehan Ahmed (16* off 31) leading by 126 runs. 

Jasprit Bumrah (2/29) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2/93) picked two wickets each for India. Meanwhile, X was abuzz with reactions on an exciting day’s play. Here are some of the posts: