Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag feels Virat Kohli sledging Jonny Bairstow in the fifth Test fired up the English batter. Bairstow and Kohli were involved in a heated argument on the field on day three at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. The wicket-keeper batter went on to slam a century in the innings, taking on the Indian bowlers. His knock helped the England team to avoid the follow-on in the innings.
The hosts were reeling at 83/5 at one point of time in the innings. Jonny Bairstow got together with Ben Stokes and then Sam Billings to put up valuable partnerships. He scored 106 runs off 140 deliveries, at a strike rate of 75.71. His knock included fourteen boundaries and a couple of sixes.
Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag expressed that Jonny Bairstow got into Pant mode from Pujara’s mode post Virat Kohli’s sledging. He took to Twitter to express his thoughts on the incident and Bairstow’s innings. Virender Sehwag tweeted,
“Jonny Bairstow’s Strike Rate before Kohli’s Sledging – 21. Post Sledging – 150. Pujara ki tarah khel rahe thhey, Kohli ne Pant banwa diya bewajah sledge karke” (He was playing like Pujara, Kohli turned him into Pant after sledging him).
Jonny Bairstow's Strike Rate before Kohli's Sledging -: 21
Post Sledging – 150Pujara ki tarah khel rahe thhey, Kohli ne Pant banwa diya bewajah sledge karke #IndvsEng
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 3, 2022
Jonny Bairstow was eventually caught by Virat Kohli off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling in the innings. The Indian cricketer took the catch and gave Bairstow a ‘flying kiss’ sendoff. He was also seen dancing to celebrate Bairstow’s dismissal. This was the England cricketer’s fifth Test century this year. He has scored 880 runs in fifteen innings at an average of 67.69 in 2022 in Test matches.
India gains a lead of 132 runs in the first innings
The Indian team bowled England out for 284 runs in the first innings. They managed to take a lead of 132 runs, with pacer Mohammed Siraj being the pick of the bowlers. In his 11.3 overs spell, Siraj conceded 66 runs taking four wickets. Skipper Jasprit Bumrah too performed brilliantly taking three wickets, and a fantastic catch to dismiss Ben Stokes.
Meanwhile, the Indian team lost opener Shubman Gill in their second innings. He got out to James Anderson in the first over of the innings for four runs. Hanuma Vihari has joined Cheteshwar Pujara at the crease. The visitors are 37/1 with a lead of 169 runs in the match.
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