KKN Gurugram Desk | As Day 3 of the 1st Test match between India and England came to a close at Leeds, the battle between bat and ball remained finely balanced. England’s Ollie Pope, who scored a gritty century in England’s first innings, addressed the media and shared his perspective on the potential chase his team may face in the final innings.

While Pope refrained from giving a specific target figure, he emphasized the importance of keeping the final target as low as possible, stating that any reduction in runs to chase would give England a strategic edge on a pitch that is offering movement and pace.

 Score Summary After Day 3:

• India (1st Innings): 471 all out

• England (1st Innings): 465 all out

• India (2nd Innings): 90/2 at stumps

• India Lead by 96 runs

 Pope’s Key Takeaways: No Fixed Target, But the Lower, the Better

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ollie Pope highlighted that England were not focused on chasing a specific number at this stage.

“We’re not thinking in terms of a fixed target. But obviously, the smaller the target, the better for us. This outfield is quick—if you beat the infielders, the ball races to the boundary. So a lower target could make things easier,” said Pope.

England currently trail by 96 runs as India closed the third day at 90/2, with KL Rahul at the crease — a wicket Pope described as “crucial” heading into Day 4.

“KL Rahul is a key player. If we can dismiss him early on Day 4, we could tilt the game in our favour,” Pope added.

Pope’s Century: A Standout Innings in Testing Conditions

In England’s first innings, Ollie Pope top-scored with a crucial 106 runs, keeping England afloat against a determined Indian bowling attack. However, he was quick to point out that the conditions were far from ideal for batting.

“It wasn’t easy out there. The conditions changed constantly — we had some sunshine early on, but then clouds rolled in, making the ball swing and seam,” Pope explained.

He stressed the importance of respecting good deliveries while punishing the bad ones — a classic Test batting principle.

“I knew I had to bat late, play square, and be smart with my shot selection. The ball was swinging, so I had to be cautious but also cash in when bowlers missed their line,” he elaborated.

India’s Strategy: Resilient Batting with an Eye on 4th Day Pressure

With a 96-run lead and 8 wickets in hand, India will aim to stretch the total beyond 250 to challenge England’s batting lineup in the fourth innings. The pitch at Headingley is showing signs of variable bounce and movement, which could be a factor as the match progresses.

India’s batting approach so far has been cautious yet composed, with experienced players like KL Rahul and Shubman Gill tasked with building a strong base on Day 4.

Ollie Pope Reflects on Past Form, Future Focus

Pope, who had a mixed series during England’s tour of India earlier, said he is using the current series as a reset.

“I didn’t have the best performance in the last four matches of our India tour. But for me, every innings is a fresh opportunity. Whether it’s a duck or a century, I treat each one as a new beginning,” he said.

This mindset, he added, has helped him return to form and stay focused amid fluctuating conditions and pressure situations.

 Pitch and Conditions: Swing, Speed, and Smart Play

The Leeds pitch has offered something for everyone. On Day 3, the surface appeared to quicken, with sharp carry and occasional seam movement, especially under overcast skies.

Pope noted:

“The outfield is fast. Once you pierce the infield, it’s four. But you also need to be smart — leave well, play late, and trust your technique.”

These conditions could become even trickier on Day 4 and Day 5, making the first session on Day 4 potentially decisive for both teams.

 Tactical Outlook: What England Needs Next

England’s best chance lies in:

• Early wickets on Day 4

• Restricting India’s lead to under 250

• Exploiting any Day 5 pitch deterioration during the final chase

With India’s batting depth, including Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja yet to come, the hosts will have to bowl with discipline and seize every half-chance.

As the 1st Test in India’s tour of England 2025 heads into Day 4, both sides are poised for a potentially classic Test finish. With a slim 96-run lead, India will hope to post a challenging target, while England will rely on their seamers and field placements to create pressure.

Pope’s calm, tactical assessment reflects England’s growing maturity under tough circumstances — a sign that both teams are treating this as more than just a game, but a battle of skill, stamina, and strategy.