India on top despite brilliant Bairstow century

India remained in control on day three of the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston against England despite Jonny Bairstow continuing his stunning form throughout the summer. The Yorkshireman notched an eye-catching 106 off 140 balls but was the only English batter who offered any resistance as India bowled out the hosts for 284 before ending the day on 125 for three, growing their lead to 257.

England began the day on 84 for five, with Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes forced to contend with a probing spell of fast bowling from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Both seamers regularly passed the outside edge in the opening half-hour, but after settling in at the crease, Bairstow finally broke the shackles.

After taking 65 balls to get to 16 runs, Bairstow switched up the gears, nonchalantly chipping Bumrah and Shami over the infield as England smashed 48 runs in the space of five overs. Although Bairstow lost his partner and captain Ben Stokes, who drilled one down Bumrah’s throat at mid-off after surviving two dropped chances, the number five didn’t relent in his assault. The Yorkshireman flicked anything drifting onto his pads and played a couple of breath-taking shots for six to put the pressure back on the Indians.

Bairstow raced away to the 11th Test ton of his career and fifth of the year with a backfoot punch against Shardul Thakur but was dismissed soon after, edging a booming drive against Mohammed Shami to Kohli at first slip.

Bairstow’s wicket ended a profitable 92-run partnership between him and Sam Billings, and England managed just 43 runs after his dismissal as Mohammed Siraj cleaned up the tail. Despite going at nearly six an over, the pacer finished with four wickets to his name as he accounted for Broad, Billings, and Matty Potts to close out the English innings for 284.

In response, England drew first blood with Shubman Gill edging Jimmy Anderson to the slip cordon for the second innings in a row. Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari ensured that India didn’t suffer further damage against the new ball, however the number three departed just after the Tea break, driving Stuart Broad to third slip.

Virat Kohli played a couple of pristine cover drives through the off side to signal his intent, but the former captain was undone by an unplayable delivery from Ben Stokes that reared up considerably to catch an outside edge. Although the hosts had a sniff with India reeling at 75 for three, the effervescent Rishabh Pant and the watchful Cheteshwar Pujara eased any tensions in the visiting camp with a half-century partnership to give the Men in Blue a 257-run lead heading into day four.