India v England: Johnny Bairstow’s counter-attack on the third day 91 * Headlines Morning Session

Bairstow shone before the end of the second day’s play as he scored just 12 * off 46 balls against a trio of Indian fast bowlers, Jaspreet Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj. On the third day, however, the Yorkshire right-handed bowler soon changed gears and began attacking the Indian bowlers around the park.

However, Bairstow did not start with Ben Stokes in the middle. At one point he was batting on 16 off 65 balls, but in the meantime he must have been excited by the animated chat with former India captain Virat Kohli. The batsman, who has been consistently behind centuries in the recently concluded series against New Zealand at home, gave up his animal mode and started working on the boundary.

The right-handed batsman completed his half-century off just 81 balls and then scored 91 * off 113 balls until the rain stopped. By then, England were 200 for six in 45.3 overs and the risk of a follow-on was averted. In his 91 * innings, Bairstow – the highest run scorer in Tests in 2022 – hit 12 fours and two sixes.

He first shared a 66-run partnership with skipper Ben Stokes – who also attempted a four – and then an unbeaten 51 for the seventh wicket with Sam Billings. Out of these 51 runs, Billings’ share was only 7.

England lost just one wicket in the morning session on the bowling of captain Stokes. India skipper Jaspreet Bumrah took a sensational catch off Shardul Thakur’s ball to the left in the midoff and the left-hander was dismissed for 25 off 31 balls. Both Thakur and Bumrah relieved themselves on the back ball as Bumrah dropped a sitter in the same spot and a few overs earlier Thakur relieved the English captain with an easy catch on the ball by Mohammad Shami.

Shami was the most dangerous bowler in the morning session as the senior right-arm fast bowler kept asking questions all the time but he was unlucky as he did not succeed. He looked like a man on a mission, but fate turned his back on him because she never got to the sign.

Before the sky opened, Thakur trampled Bairstow in front and the umpire put the boat on, but the batsman immediately went upstairs to review and Ultra-Edge confirmed that Nick was there, forcing the on-field umpire to change his position. Decision. The game stopped immediately after the rain and the intense cricket season came to an abrupt end. By lunch, England had scored 116 runs and lost just one wicket.

The second season will be interesting as Bairstow completes his third consecutive Test century. However, the visitors will try to wrap up England’s innings as soon as possible and maintain a healthy lead in the first innings.