Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley orchestrated a remarkable comeback for England, securing an exhilarating 28-run victory in the first Test against India at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. This win, celebrated as one of England’s “most outstanding” triumphs, gives them a 1-0 lead in the ongoing five-match cricket series.
India initially held a significant lead of 190 in the first innings, seemingly putting them in control. However, Ollie Pope’s epic innings of 196 runs revived England, allowing them to post 420 all out in their second innings and re-enter the contest.
The home team was left with a target of 231 runs for victory. In his debut Test, slow left-arm bowler Hartley’s impressive performance of 7-62 dismantled India, leading to their dismissal for 202 during an extended final session on the penultimate day.
India captain Rohit Sharma’s 39 was the top score in the second innings as the hosts lost 4-24 in a mid-innings collapse. Despite efforts from Ravichandran Ashwin and Srikar Bharat to extend the match, it concluded with England’s stunning win.
England captain Ben Stokes expressed pride in the team’s performance, recognizing the challenge posed by India at home. The victory was hailed by former spinner Graeme Swann, who called it a “stunning win,” and cricket writer Andy Zaltzman, who labeled it one of England’s greatest Test victories.
Former fast bowler Derek Pringle noted that the win continues to defy convention under coach Brendon McCullum. Commenting on the pitch, former spinner Robert Croft suggested that India might regret producing a surface with such significant turn.
The second Test of the series in Visakhapatnam begins on Friday, with India still without Virat Kohli for the first two Tests due to personal reasons.
