So, what a day for cricket fans around the world. Or should I say Test cricket fans around the world. West Indies beat Australia at The Gabba. England beat India in Hyderabad. That’s the reason we need more Test cricket.
It was a pleasure bringing you all the updates from this Test match. Hope you enjoyed the coverage. Keep joining us for more cricketing action all around the globe. For now, it’s time for me, Akshay Bhide, to sign off, along with scorer Zeeshan Naiyer. Tata. Bye Bye.
Ollie Pope (Player of the Match): "Yeah hundred percent. To come here to India, probably the place for a batter, to start the series like this, heads and shoulders above the other four (Centuries). I think I got a bit luckier in the second innings. I played and missed a few. I was kind of focused on covering the inside edge of my pad. I knew that was a really dangerous ball and if you do edge, one still got to carry, they still got to catch it. So I think that I maintained that mindset and really wanted to be positive with my sweeping and reverse sweeping as well.
I've sort of tinkered throughout my career. So far, some things have worked. I've changed my technique slightly for this series specifically. I had a shoulder surgery. So I've had a long time to prepare for this series and make some adjustments to what I produced the last time we were here, maybe three years ago now. So I've worked hard in my game and tried to sort of tailor my technique for these conditions. I think the family have had early starts throughout the week so they can finally get some sleep. "
Player of the Match: Ollie Pope
Ben Stokes (England Captain): "I think since taking the captaincy on, we have had great moments and great victories. But the way we have been playing, this win stands first right up there.
To be honest with you, this is my first time as captain here. I watch a lot of cricket and I'm a keen observer. I just love to watch the game. I see how the Indian spinners bowl. I analyze because we wanted to get India knocked over to win this match. Tom Hartley picking seven wickets on debut. Ollie Pope in his comeback match was brilliant.
Look, obviously, Tom came into the squad for the first time. He has heard a lot of languages spoken. We are on a long tour and you will be here for a longer period. I was willing to give him confidence by bowling him more. He delivered by picking up seven wickets and winning the game.
I have been lucky enough to play a lot of Test matches with Joe Root in subcontinent conditions. But Pope coming in at three and the strokes he played, those sweeps, reverse-sweeps, I feel this is the greatest knock by an English batter in India.
You loose, you wait for the morning. You still wake up and have a crack at life. I don't fear failure. Those who are lucky to be in the squad, just back them to play the way they want."
Smart saver of the Match: Srikar Bharat
Apne Liye Apno Ke Liye Award: Ben Stokes
Game changer of the Match: Tom Hartley
Rohit Sharma (India Captain):"I mean cricket is being played over four days. Hard to pinpoint actually where it went wrong. Having got the lead of 190, we thought we had the advantage. But outstanding batting from them. Ollie Pope played an exceptional knock. I think 230 was gettable and we played some poor cricket.
I went in and checked where we bowled. We bowled in the right areas. After the day's play, you analyze. We saw and I feel the bowlers executed their plans perfectly. But you have to take your hats off. It was a serious knock from Pope. After first innings of both teams, I feel we were in a very good position.
I wanted them to take the game to the fifth day. But the lower-order actually fought really well and showed the top-order that you need to fight it out. You have to be brave enough. We wanted to take some chances with the bat but we didn't take those. But that happens."