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Top-order batter Ollie 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 the third day of the first Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Saturday. The day began with England facing the prospect of conceding a lead of 200 runs, but Joe Root’s 4-79 meant India added only 15 runs to their overnight total and were all out for 436 in their first innings.

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, which has led England to 316/6 in 77 overs, the first time a visiting team has scored 300 in a Test match second innings in India since Nagpur 2012.