England are all set to face India for the final time in the series, as both teams are set to lock horns in Dharamshala on March 7.
One of the biggest negatives of this series for England is the form of vice captain Ollie Pope, who has failed to replicate his Heroics of Hyderabad test in the next matches that were played between the two sides.
The batter failed to replicate his form with the bat, which triggered epic collapses from England’s side in Rajkot and Ranchi.
However, ahead of the final match of the series, England’s head coach, Brendon McCullum, backed Ollie Pope, saying that the batter knows what he needs to do.
Brendon McCullum said, “He’s aware of what he needs to do. He obviously bagged them in the last test, and he’s gutted about that, but look at the way he was then helping the skipper on the last day and diving around in the field.”
Brendon McCullum said that he wanted Ollie Pope to bring out his best in both the batting and fielding departments.
Brendon McCullum stated, “That’s the stuff you’re desperate for as a coach—to see people giving it their best regardless of their own performance. He displayed great leadership qualities, and that showed where he’s at as a player, a member of this team, and as a person.”
The series is already over for England, as Team India is currently leading the series by 3-1, but if one looks at the Dharmashala Test from the perspective of the WTC, it is still going to be an important match for England.