Cook Backs Ollie Pope, Calls for Him to Prove Worth Against India

Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook has encouraged England’s selection panel to continue with Ollie Pope in the number three batting position for the highly anticipated five-Test series against India, commencing on June 20.

Cook expressed confidence that Pope has rightfully earned the opportunity to retain this crucial spot, despite emerging competition within the batting lineup.

In a discussion on a British YouTube podcast with Michael Vaughan, David Lloyd, and Phil Tufnell, Cook articulated his reasoning for why Pope should be favored over alternative players.

“Upon departing New Zealand, I anticipated Jacob Bethell would be chosen. However, if he opts to remain in the IPL instead of participating in a Test match, that dictates the situation,” Cook stated.

Cook clarified that Bethell’s decision to prioritize the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 over the Zimbabwe Tests has likely compromised his chances to solidify the role. Pope is expected to capitalize on this development.

Cook emphasized that the vice-captain must demonstrate his capabilities against a formidable Indian bowling unit, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah.

“Will Pope be positioned at number three? He currently holds the position, and we’ll assess whether he can perform effectively against bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah,” Cook remarked.

Cook also restated his longstanding concern regarding Pope’s susceptibility during the initial phase of his innings.

“My consistent reservation about Pope, which I believe remains valid, pertains to his first 20 deliveries. It’s plausible that Tuffers could navigate those initial balls more effectively,” he added.

Cook noted that the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the Indian team will inevitably lead to adjustments in their top-order batting lineup for the series opener in Leeds.

“One established characteristic of India is their abundance of talent,” Cook observed.

“They possess the capacity to select 18 batsmen of comparable caliber, and it will be intriguing to observe whether this talent, without the presence of those two key players, now flourishes.

He added, “It could allow for greater self-expression and a more assertive batting approach. While Kohli’s presence in batters’ meetings might have led to unanimous agreement on strategy, the younger players may now feel empowered to adopt a more aggressive and personalized approach against England.”

The five-match Test series between England and India is scheduled to commence at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20. The subsequent matches will be held at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval.

England squad for the first Test against India:

Ben Stokes (captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.