Former England skipper Eoin Morgan has hailed Ollie Pope’s masterclass knock in the second innings against India in the first Test match at Hyderabad. Pope scored a fine knock of 196 runs off 276 balls with the help of 21 fours as he played with great technique.

Morgan tipped Pope’s knock as one of England’s best batting efforts away from home conditions. Pope was dismissed after scoring a single run in the first innings but he batted at his absolute best in the second essay.

Pope played confidently against the Indian spin trio of Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin. This was Pope’s fifth Test century and he made the most of the sweep and reverse sweep shots.

Pope’s 196 is the highest for England in the second innings against India in India. Furthermore, Pope’s knock of 196 was also the fourth-highest individual score by a visiting batter in India in the second innings of a Test match.

“Given the context of the game, that will go down as one of England’s greatest scores away from home,” Morgan told Sky Sports at Lunch on Day 4.

“Pope displayed everything throughout this fine knock – great temperament, great class, great poise,” he further added.

England posted a gargantuan score of 420 runs in the second innings after Pope scored a magnum opus knock. Thus, the visitors were able to take a competitive lead of 230 runs, and India is under the pump as they are currently 111-5.

Pope was involved in four partnerships of more than 50 runs in the second innings and troubled the Indian bowlers with his shot-making.