Brendon McCullum has made it clear that the team management is going to keep the faith in Jonny Bairstow, who has been struggling in the ongoing series and backed Joe Root to come good in the fourth Test match in Ranchi.
Jonny Bairstow has managed only 102 runs in six innings in the series so far.
“I haven’t even seen the wicket in Ranchi but I’d anticipate Jonny would be playing,” McCullum told reporters.
“He’s not scored the volume of runs he would have wanted and a couple of times he’s got out kind of mildly for someone who’s got the power game Jonny’s got. I don’t have concerns over him.”
“We know that a top-quality Jonny Bairstow is as good as anyone in any conditions. So from our point of view, we’ve got to keep on giving him confidence and block out a lot of the external noise; keep him really present and focused on what he’s trying to achieve and I’m sure Jonny will come good.
India vs England Live Score: Ravindra Jadeja cleans up Jonny Bairstow on Day 3 of the Hyderabad Test. (BCCI | X)
“We’re a long way from home and India can be a tough place to tour – anywhere can be. I will spend a bit of time with Jonny and remind him that he’s such a wonderful player. And not because you’re trying to get a performance but because he’s a good bloke and you want to make sure he’s enjoying himself. Whatever happens, results-wise happens.”
On Root’s ramp shot
The England coach has defended Joe Root, who has managed only 77 runs at 12.83 and defended former England’s ramp shot, which has brought a lot of criticism.
“It’s Joe Root, crikey. I mean, seriously? The law of averages suggests he’ll fill his boots in the next two,” said McCullum.
It was Root’s ramp shot on Day 3, which which triggered a collapse of 8 for 95.
England’s Joe Root in action before getting caught out by India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah. (Reuters)
“I think he’s averaged about 50 with that shot (previously 60, now 30), plus what’s happened after he’s played that shot previously. He’s got out twice doing it. You can get nicked off defending one or trying to drive one through the leg side. I don’t know if it is as high risk shot in the modern game as what it appears in the previous game.
“I would say that his statistics in the last 18 months or so, whilst people see a shot like that and they go ‘oh, Joe Root is struggling to deal with this new regime’ – but have a look at the numbers. He’s averaging higher. He’s striking at a higher rate. His impact on the game is still very, very significant.
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“Imagine if this becomes the norm for Joe as well, with the talent that he possesses and the history that he’s got. And then what’s the ceiling? So this is a point: do we want just a normal Joe Root, or do we want a Joe Root that is even better? How many games are we going to win if that happens?”
The fourth Test of the five-match series will start on Friday in Ranchi.