before root

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: England’s premier batter Joe Root lauded Ollie Pope for his stunning 148 not out on Day Three of the first Test against India, saying the number three batter had played out a masterclass in how to bat on pitches in the country.

At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Saturday, Pope slammed his fifth Test century and first in India to pull England out of trouble and help them take a lead of 126 runs at the end of day three’s play.

Pope, who made just one in England’s first innings, stood up amidst a fightback from India to hit an unbeaten 148, laced with 17 boundaries, leading England to 316/6 in 77 overs, the first time a visiting team has scored 300 in the second innings of a Test match in India since Nagpur 2012.