The veteran English wicket-keeper batter, Jonny Bairstow engaged in banter with former skipper, Virat Kohli on Day 3 of the rescheduled fifth Test between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Virat looked unhappy with Bairstow after the latter said something to Kohli. Although Bairstow tried to calm things down, Kohli didn’t back down and he was seen having a war of words.
Virat Kohli asked Bairstow to stop talking and focus on batting. Talking about the incident, Jonny Bairstow stressed that there was “literally nothing” between him and Kohli. He jokingly said, “Refused to invite him for dinner. As I mentioned earlier, there was literally nothing. We’ve been fortunate to play against each other for ten years. So, I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to have dinner. Don’t worry about it.”
Jonny Bairstow, who was struggling until the heated exchange, came back hard with his batting and went onto register a century off just 119 balls. Bairstow fell shortly after surpassing the three-figure mark as Kohli caught him off the bowling of Mohammed Shami. The England batter, however, admitted that playing against India is always tough.
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Elaborating the same Jonny Bairstow said, “We’re very lucky to be out there playing because that’s why we play the game, isn’t it? Two very competitive people out on the field doing what they love. And that’s why we play the game. You’ve got 11 guys on each side that are very passionate to do so well for their country.”
He further added, “And yeah, look, it’s passion, it’s what you play for … So, I hope that clears it up but, look, it was great crack out there and to be playing against a fantastic team in India is, is always going to be tough. And like I said, you’ve got to absorb those tough periods of time and try and shift and wrestle momentum back at others.”
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England eventually got bundled out for 284, with Mohammed Siraj taking four wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami returned with three and two respectively. Currently, India is having a lead of 257 runs after ending Day 3 on 125 for the loss of three wickets, including the dismissal of Kohli cheaply for 20 runs, at stumps.
