Verbal Exchange With Kohli Part Of Game: Bairstow

BIRMINGHAM: Star England batter Jonny Bairstow has played down the heated verbal exchange he had with senior India player Virat Kohli during the third day of the rescheduled fifth Test, saying it was part and parcel of the game.

At one point, the umpires had to intervene to cool down tempers.

"Nah, there was literally nothing to it," Bairstow, who hit 106 off 140 balls, said when asked about the heated exchange with Kohli.

"We've played against each other for a solid 10 years now. It's a bit of craic (having good time, enjoyable social activity). We're fiercely competitive on the field and that's what it's about.

"We're playing Test cricket and we're two competitors. It brings the best out of us. Whatever it takes, you want to get your team over the line and that's part and parcel of the game."

After that altercation, Bairstow started chancing his arms and played a lot of lofted shots over mid-off and clipped a few towards the mid-wicket boundary.

Asked at the press conference after the third day's play if Kohli was "poking the bear", Bairstow replied, "It's a nice pun that in it, really.

"We've been fortunate to play against each other for over 10 years now. So, we have had some battles on the field.

“I am pretty sure we will be able to have dinner. Don't worry about that," said Bairstow.

Bairstow's century was the cornerstone of England's 284 in reply to India's 416, a first innings deficit of 132 runs for the hosts. India were 125 for 3 at stumps on day three, extending their overall lead to 257 runs.

England are facing the prospect of a daunting fourth-innings target but Bairstow said "whatever we're set, we'll try and chase."