Birmingham: Star England batsman Jonny Bairstow has downplayed his sparring with India legend Virat Kohli on the third day of the fifth Test, saying it is part of the game. In the morning session during the third day’s play on Sunday, Kohli said something to Bairstow in reference to his ‘attempts and misses to play the shot’. Bairstow also did not remain calm and at one point the umpires had to intervene to calm the atmosphere.

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When asked about the argument with Kohli, Bairstow said, “No, it was not a big deal. We have been playing against each other for 10 years. It gets fun. We are very competitive on the field and that’s what matters.” Bairstow scored 106 runs in 140 balls in England’s innings. After an argument with Kohli, Bairstow started taking a risk and played several shots over mid-off and hit a few shots towards the mid-wicket boundary.

Bairstow’s century helped England score 284 in the first innings in reply to India’s 416

Bairstow scored 284 runs in the first innings in reply to India’s 416 by Bairstow’s century. India took a 132-run lead and then made 125 for three in the second innings to take their total lead to 257 runs at the end of the day’s play. England may face a big target in the fourth innings but Bairstow said that they will try to achieve whatever target India gives.

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India’s new-ball bowling pairing of Mohammed Shami and caretaker captain Jasprit Bumrah bowled consistently for almost 30 overs. When asked about facing these two, Bairstow said, “They bowled very well. The ball was swinging and we just had to try to get the momentum going. Trying to change the field by scoring runs in areas where runs have not been scored. But it also involves taking a risk.”