Earlier this week, a video of Virat Kohli and Jonny Bairstow sharing a few words went viral on social media.
The rescheduled fifth Test between India and England at Edgbaston in Birmingham is currently in India’s favor. During England’s first innings, Jonny Bairstow had threatened to win the game for England. At first, however, England’s batter struggled, scoring just 13 runs off of 61 deliveries and surviving a few near-misses. All of that changed, though, when Virat Kohli decided to engage Jonny Bairstow in a verbal duel. While they were fighting on the field, Bairstow smashed 93 off his next 79 balls. What happened in the middle of Kohli-duel Baierwow’s has been revealed by the Englishman, who was caught on camera.
“For the better part of a decade, we’ve been playing against each other. It’s good fun. It’s all about the competition on the field. We’re in a two-team competition in Test cricket. Playing a game is a great way to bring out the best in ourselves, so why not? In order to win, you must do everything it takes to get your team over the finish line “Bairstow made this statement in a video that Sky Sports News posted to Twitter.
In the end, Bairstow scored 106 off just 140 balls. However, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah pushed India to a 132-run advantage in the first innings with the ball, despite his brilliant effort.
India’s lead grew to 257 runs at stumps on Day 3 thanks to superb innings by Cheteshwar Pujara. Rishabh Pant’s 30 not out kept Pujara company as he reached 50 without being knocked off his game.
India’s first innings total of 416 was boosted by centuries from Pant (146 off 111 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (104).
