Ollie Pope delivers crucial century as England battles against India
- Ollie Pope scored an unbeaten century, contributing significantly to England's innings against India.
- Ben Stokes expressed confidence in Pope's position despite competition from Jacob Bethell.
- Pope's performance has silenced critics and solidified his role in the team during this important series.
In England, Ollie Pope's impressive performance with the bat turned the tide in the first Test match against India at Headingley. After India set a challenging target with 471 runs in their first innings, England faced significant pressure at 4 for 1 when Pope stepped up to the crease. Overcoming the tough bowling from India's Jasprit Bumrah, he maintained his composure while scoring an unbeaten century. Scoring 100 not out, Pope helped England reach a score of 209 for 3 at stumps on the second day of the match, showcasing his ability to handle the scrutiny over his position in the team, amidst competition from Jacob Bethell. England's captain Ben Stokes had already affirmed his confidence in Pope, stressing that dismissing him after a knock of 171 in the previous match against Zimbabwe would be