In addition to praising Ollie Pope, Joe Root stated that in order to achieve sweeps and reverse sweeps, batters must have confidence in their ability to execute.
In response to a question about whether those shots were preferable to a forward defense on twisting tracks, the former England Test captain made these remarks.
On the third day of the first Test match between India and England, Ollie Pope scored 148 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, making it one of the greatest hundreds by a foreign player. Throughout his undefeated innings, the right-handed batsman blasted 17 fours, giving England a 126-run advantage with four wickets remaining in the game.
Ollie Pope unnerved the Indian spinners with a variety of sweeps and reverse sweeps during his magnificent innings. During their second innings, other English batters made effective use of these shots as well. In the 30 balls that the visitors used to execute the reverse sweep, 48 runs were scored. 46 balls yielded 79 runs for various sweep strokes. Due to these strokes, Ravichandran Ashwin and company were unable to bowl consistently on the decent length, which had produced positive outcomes before the England innings began.
“If you can play it well, it might be [a better option].” It is most difficult when certain delivery spin while others do not. You can choose when to take a risk and which balls from which line to do so when there is constant spin. What matters most is that you don’t believe you will miss anything. Adopt that mentality of giving the shot your all and hitting it for four or one, or whatever,” ESPNcricinfo cited Root as saying.
Ollie Pope performed it quite well. It took him until position 110 to make a little mistake and was dropped. A few balls flew past his outer edge, but you kind of expected that—it’s all part and parcel, kind of like in England when the weather is swinging and seaming about and you kind of pat yourself on the back for not chasing it. Here, it is just the same. It was a very unique knock,” he continued.
It will always be difficult if a batter begins to access different areas: Paras Mhambrey
Ollie Pope spectacular shot-making was praised by India’s bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, who also noted that bowlers face a challenge when someone bats with such flair.
“It does occur. It will always be difficult if a batsman begins to access new places. A player such as Ollie Pope could access the fine leg area, the sweep, and the reverse sweep, and he could play it consistently. He deserves all the credit. They performed incredibly well and launched an attack when it was necessary, which occasionally occurs, according to Mhambrey.
“When it comes to line variation, the bowlers are put under strain by someone who regularly plays certain shots like these. He deserves recognition. However, as I previously stated, we still need to hit the correct spots, be patient with the lines, and hope to score a wicket. aspire to obtain some kind of advantage. That is conceivable. However, I believe that his style of play deserves the credit,” he continued.
The former India pacer thought that the Hyderabad pitch hasn’t gotten much worse and that on Day 4, it will become better.
“It got better in the second innings, and I think it’s only going to become a little better if you look at how the game has developed over the last three days, looking at the opening session, the amount of balls, the pace of the wicket, and the rate of spin. It moves a little more slowly. While turn is present, it’s not the typical kind found on Indian subcontinental wickets, where turn is sharp and the game moves forward. That isn’t the case. Not as difficult as perhaps the previous wickets we’ve played on, but still a little turn,” he continued.
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