Jonny Bairstow plays down Virat Kohli exchange: "There was literally nothing to it"

Kohli and Bairstow were engaged in an animated conversation early on day three, which resulted in an intervention from umpire Aleem Dar

Jonny Bairstow played down his heated onfield exchange with India's Virat Kohli at Edgbaston.

Kohli and Bairstow were engaged in an animated conversation early on day three, which resulted in an intervention from umpire Aleem Dar.

The to-and-fro seemed to inspire the England batsman, who went on to make his third century in three Test matches in his side's first-innings total of 284.

But afterwards he downplayed the significance of the incident.

"There was literally nothing to it," he said. "We've been fortunate to play against each other for over 10 years now, we've had some fierce battles on the field and we're very lucky to be out there playing. 

^{Jonny Bairstow and Virat Kohli exchanged words at Edgbaston [Getty Images]}

"We're two very competitive people, out on the field doing what we love. That's why we play the game. We've got 11 guys on each side wanting to do well for their country.

"It's passion, it's what you play for. There's literally nothing in that. It was great craic out there."

Bairstow's 106 was an example of calculated hitting, with the England No.5 scoring 94 from 93 balls on Sunday, having made 12 from 47 the evening before. 

Despite his knock, though, the home side are considerably behind in the game, and will take to the field on Monday staring at a 257-run deficit, with India just three wickets down in their second innings.

Regardless, Bairstow is adamant England will not be afraid of any fourth-innings chase. And that, he says, comes from the positive mindset being encouraged by head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.

"There's no point in looking at figures or anything like that," he said. "We know we're playing in a Test match, we know it's going to be day four and day-five pitches that we're going to be playing on… that's okay. We're going to go about it in the same way.

"It's just a different mentality, that's all it is. It's a different way of looking at the game, it's a way of being excited at whatever is set we're going to try to chase, rather than worrying about losing.

^{Bairstow is applauded by Kohli on reaching his century [Getty Images]}

"We're going to lose games of cricket, that is part and parcel of the game. People are going to be better than you, but we can be better than them the next week.

"Especially playing in the manner we are – we're trying to take wickets, flying around in the field, trying to score runs, trying to entertain people.

"You're going to lose games of cricket playing that way. Ultimately if we're enjoying the way we're playing the game, your performance will go up, everyone else's performance in the team will go up."

Bairstow's sensational 2022 has brought him five Test tons. Only three men have managed more in a calendar year for England, and none have made more than six. With as many as 13 innings potentially left for the Yorkshireman this year, that record could well go.

So what's the secret to his success?

"I've no idea," he said. "I've never been a great technician. I've not really thought about technique, I've stripped everything back and tried to focus on watching the ball."

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