England’s debutant spinner Tom Hartley ran through India on the fourth day after Olli Pope set up Ben Stokes’ team’s greatest win yet in the Baz-ball era.
Hartley took the stunning firgures of 7-62 in the second innings on debut to spin his side to victory with India bowled out for 202, falling 28 runs short of victory in a thrilling Test.
“(They’ve won) from the most absolutely extraordinary position to come from: Coming from behind, dead and buried and nearly out of the game – huge resurgence, led by Ollie Pope,” former England star Eoin Morgan said on commentary.
“Very fittingly, Tom Hartley takes the final wicket.
“Another extraordinary win from Ben Stokes and this England Test team.”
“So many decisions taken in the lead-up to the series, spare a thought for Rob Key, who went ahead and release points and who they thought were taller bowlers and it’s all come to fruition,” ex-India player Dinesh Karthik said.
“Yes it’s just been one Test match, but you must be happy when things like this happen.”
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Pope revives England in India on day 3 | 01:05
EARLIER
England’s debutant spinner Tom Hartley took four wickets, including skipper Rohit Sharma, before skipper Ben Stokes pulled off an incredible run-out to leave India in trouble as they chased 231 for victory in the opening Test.
India reached 95-3 at tea on day four in Hyderabad then lost another three wickets in quick succession to be 116-6 in the 40th over, still neeing 115 runs to win.
Ollie Pope hit 196 to steer England to 420 all out in the opening session, after the tourists resumed the day on 316-6.
India started well in their chase before Hartley, a left-arm spinner, struck twice in one over to send back Yashasvi Jaiswal (15) and Shubman Gill (0) in the space of three deliveries.
Pope remained the star as he played a hand in both dismissals, taking sharp catches at short-leg and silly point.
Rohit looked good in his knock of 39, but got rapped on the pads by Hartley’s darting ball into the right-hander and walked back after his failed review on the lbw.
The left-handed Axar Patel was promoted up the order and he attacked the bowling, hitting leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed for three boundaries in an over. But he became Hartley’s fourth wicket, caught and bowled for 17.
Joe Root then trapped the dangerous KL Rahul for 22 to leave India 5-107.
Ravindra Jadeja then joined Shreyas Iyer at the wicket. But when Jadeja set off for a quick run to mid-off, he was caught short and run out for two thanks to a stunning piece of fielding by Stokes.
The England captain picked up the ball with his left hand and, seemingly without looking, flicked the ball at the stumps and connected, catching Jadeja short of his ground.
“Sheer brilliance,”
Earlier Pope, who resumed the day on 148, stuck around with the middle and lower-order to get 256 runs with batsmen number seven, eight and nine to frustrate the Indian bowling.
He finally attempted an audacious reverse scoop in his attempt to get his double ton when England were nine down, but Jasprit Bumrah’s ball rattled the stumps and lunch was called.
“This has been one of the great Test match hundreds,” former England skipper Michael Vaughan told Fox Cricket.
“The conditions are all in favour of India, it’s spinning plenty. But he’s been sweeping, reverse sweeping, hitting Jadeja for six, his foot movement has been excellent.
“Whether it’s enough for England to win … that’ll be an innings we’ll talk about for a long, long time.”
Bumrah took four wickets, while spinner Ravichandran Ashwin got three. England slipped to 163-5 on Saturday after starting the innings 190 runs behind, but Pope hit back with his fifth Test ton and a 112-run stand with Ben Foakes.
Pope, who handled the opposition attack with aplomb through his sweeps and reverse sweeps in the marathon knock, survived a reprieve on 184 when KL Rahul dropped him at first slip.
India took the second new ball in the 89th over but Pope and Hartley stood firm. Pope, who was dropped on 110 on Saturday, remained the star with his knock for the ages as he hit 21 fours in his 278-ball stay.
Jack Leach, a left-arm spinner who injured his knee while fielding on day one and two, hobbled out to the crease as the number 11.
— AFP
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