England’s vice-captain Ollie Pope has opened up about his struggles against India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and shared his plans to overcome them in the upcoming five-Test series starting June 20 at Headingley. Pope, who will bat at number three for England, has been dismissed five times by Bumrah in Test cricket and averages less than 19 against him.
Bumrah, who is known for his unique bowling action and deadly accuracy, is expected to be India’s most potent threat during the series. Although he may not play all five Tests due to workload management, his presence in key matches will be crucial. For England, especially Pope, surviving Bumrah’s new-ball spells could make a big difference.
In a recent interview with The Times, Pope mentioned the technical tweaks he is working on to deal with Bumrah’s awkward release point. He explained that Bumrah may not always be the fastest bowler in terms of speed but feels quicker due to his action and accuracy. To prepare better, Pope said he plans to trigger his movement earlier to give himself more time to react.
Past Struggles and a Focus on Strike Rotation
Pope has had some tough dismissals against Bumrah in previous series, including a memorable yorker that sent his stumps flying. Despite facing Bumrah across three different series, Pope admitted he is still searching for ways to handle the Indian pacer’s relentless pressure and skill.
Speaking to TalkSport, he emphasized the importance of not just defending or attacking but smartly rotating strike to avoid being stuck at the crease for an entire over. “It’s about getting to the other end and not letting him bowl six balls at you. That doesn’t mean hitting boundaries—it’s about rotating strike and absorbing pressure when needed,” he said.
Pope acknowledged Bumrah as one of the best in the world and admitted that putting him under pressure won’t be easy. However, he hopes that small adjustments in technique and mindset can help him improve his record against the bowler.
The first Test of the new World Test Championship cycle begins at Leeds on June 20. With the Indian team undergoing a transition under new leadership and England hoping to start strong at home, the face-off between Pope and Bumrah could be one of the most important duels of the series.
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