England captain Ben Stokes has firmly backed Ollie Pope to retain his position at No. 3 for the opening Test of the series against India in Leeds, following Pope’s stellar knock of 171 in the previous Test against Zimbabwe. Stokes was resolute in his support for Pope, dismissing any notion of replacing him with Jacob Bethell, despite growing calls for Bethell to take up the crucial No. 3 spot.
Stokes’ Support for Pope: A No-Brainer
Stokes made it clear that the decision to stick with Ollie Pope was an obvious one, especially after his remarkable 171 in England’s last Test match. “It would be remarkable to choose someone else if their last knock was a 170,” Stokes said on the eve of the first Test in Leeds. “And that’s pretty much all I need to say on that.”
Pope’s 171 came in the Zimbabwe Test earlier in the year, but the debate over his place at No. 3 had been ongoing. Stokes acknowledged that Pope’s consistency and recent form had proven his worth to the team, even though the 25-year-old’s career has been marred by inconsistency at times.
Pope’s Journey: A Mixed but Valuable Record
Pope’s recent century came as a welcome boost, especially following his remarkable 196 against India in the 2024 series. However, the England middle-order batter has faced periods of inconsistency. Despite this, his average of 43.06 at No. 3 since Stokes took over as captain in 2022 has been solid, and he has remained a crucial part of the team.
Stokes, acknowledging the scrutiny that surrounds Pope’s selection, pointed out how Pope has dealt with the pressure of being England’s No. 3. “In this day and age, it’s very tough to not see all that kind of speculation and stuff around it just because of how easily accessible things are. But I think scoring 170 in his last Test match has sort of shown how well he’s handled that extra scrutiny,” Stokes said.
Jacob Bethell: A Bright Future but Not Yet Ready
While Jacob Bethell has been touted as a future star for England, especially after impressing during his debut in New Zealand, Stokes remains steadfast in his belief that Pope is the best option at No. 3. Bethell’s half-centuries in all three Tests against New Zealand in 2024 had sparked a debate over his potential to slot into the No. 3 position. However, his absence from the Test against Zimbabwe, due to IPL commitments with Royal Challengers Bangalore, and his lack of a substantial innings since his debut, means Pope continues to hold onto the spot.
England’s Bowling Strategy and Key Players
As England head into this critical series against India, Ben Stokes also addressed the challenges posed by his team’s bowling unit, which has seen some changes due to injuries and retirements. With players like Chris Woakes returning to full fitness, Stokes is optimistic about his team’s prospects, even with the inexperience in the bowling ranks.
Woakes has been a key figure for England in recent years, and Stokes is confident that the all-rounder can step up as a bowling leader on the Headingley pitch, which is expected to assist fast bowlers. “I think this is correct, but since me and Baz [McCullum] have been captain and coach, I don’t think we’ve actually lost a game with Woakesy in the team, so again that just proves how much of a valuable cricketer he is to any team that he’s turned out for,” Stokes remarked.
The Pressure of Experience: How England’s Bowlers Will Cope
Stokes also discussed the significance of experience in England’s bowling attack. Despite some injury concerns and retirements, Stokes pointed out that Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue have both shown promise in their early international careers. “Experience is experience… Obviously, it’s spoken about a lot, but I see at the end of the day, whether you’ve played 100 games or five games, it’s the skills that are the most important, valuable thing when you come out to play any form of cricket,” Stokes said.
India’s Strength Despite Key Absences
Looking at India, Stokes made it clear that the absence of key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R. Ashwin wouldn’t make India any easier to beat. “Just because of how big the pool of talent is in India… it’s not going to be any easier for us,” Stokes said, highlighting the depth of talent in Indian cricket. Despite the retirements, India still boasts a formidable team, with young talents stepping up to fill the gaps.
The Series Ahead: A Fresh Challenge for Both Teams
As England prepares for a Test series against a transitioning but still powerful Indian team, the stakes are high. Both teams are looking to build on their respective successes, and with Shubman Gill taking over the captaincy for India, the series promises to be an exciting clash. England’s aggressive Bazball style, combined with their evolving squad, will be tested against India’s solid all-round strength and depth.
Key Stats and Insights:
- Ollie Pope’s 171 in the Zimbabwe Test is his eighth Test century, proving his value at No. 3.
- Karun Nair and Shubman Gill have consistently scored runs for India in past encounters, with Gill stepping into the No. 4 role vacated by Virat Kohli.
- Chris Woakes is expected to lead the pace attack in this Test series against India, where England’s bowling attack will be tested under the leadership of Ben Stokes.
- Joe Root, with 2,846 runs at an average of 58.08, remains a key figure in England’s batting lineup and has been dismissed 9 times by Jasprit Bumrah in previous encounters with India.
Conclusion: A Battle of Styles
With Ollie Pope holding onto the No. 3 spot and England looking to bounce back with a mix of experience and fresh faces, the 2025 Test series promises to be a thrilling contest. India, under Shubman Gill, will look to continue their dominance in overseas conditions, while England aims to prove that their Bazball approach can be just as effective against one of the world’s strongest sides. With key players on both sides eager to shine, the stage is set for a Test series full of drama, excitement, and intensity.
