Ollie Pope's celebration of his ninth Test century carried an undeniable weight. After inside-edging Jasprit Bumrah's in-seamer towards the leg side, he sprinted for a single, finishing the run with an ecstatic leap and shout — a raw release of pent-up emotion. Though he had recently posted an elegant 171 against Zimbabwe for his eighth century, Pope's place in the squad was anything but secure. The rise of Warwickshire's Jacob Bethell had intensified the selection debate. Even with Ben Stokes labeling Pope's selection a “no-brainer,” the vice-captain approached the crease under pressure on a gray afternoon in Leeds. Facing Mohammed Siraj first up, Pope confidently clipped the ball to the square leg boundary. It set the tone for an assertive counterattack, racing to 31 off just 25 deliveries, fully aligned with England’s aggressive Test philosophy. There were tense moments — a tight LBW call narrowly surviving Siraj's inswinger, and a sharp gully chance spilled by Yashasvi Jaiswal when Pope was on 60 — but he rode out the risks. The innings stood as a powerful statement, rewarding the faith placed in him. This century carried significant weight for Pope’s long-term credentials. Coming into the match, his average against India and Australia — cricket’s heavyweights — stood at a modest 22.05 across 18 Tests. Even his brilliant 196 in Hyderabad last year hadn’t fully silenced the doubters. Known for his rocky starts and inconsistent returns, Pope's career has swung between brilliance and struggle. This knock was a crucial chance to demonstrate he could deliver when the stakes were highest. “It gave me goosebumps when he reached his hundred. You could see what it meant to him,” said teammate Ben Duckett, who had shared a 122-run partnership with Pope. What elevated the achievement further was the caliber of the opposition. Facing Jasprit Bumrah — “the best bowler in the world,” as Duckett described him — under floodlights with the ball swinging both ways is as stern a test as any batter can face. “You probably can’t walk out to tougher conditions. Jasprit steaming in, lights on — it doesn’t get much harder. That’s why the celebration was so special — not just for Ollie, but for everyone in the dressing room.”