IND vs ENG: Bairstow opens up on his different jersey during opening ODI

Jonny Bairstow, the England batsman, has revealed the reasons behind him wearing a different jersey during the first ODI against India on Tuesday at the MCA Stadium in Pune. Even as the rest of the Brits’ players had their names and numbers written in blue, Bairstow had them written in white.

Later, the 31-year-old stated that it was a clear case of ‘miscommunication’. Bairstow stated that the details were provided in the format of his T20 jersey due to which the confusion came to the fore. He made the revelations during a virtual press conference.

“It was purely because it got patched up over here rather than in England. It was a miscommunication. They patched it up, the number and lettering in the same colour as the T20 numbers. That was as simple as it was,” Bairstow was quoted as saying.

Jonny Bairstow happy with his knocks in India

Bairstow, from a personal viewpoint, had an incredible outing in the first ODI. Though the Three Lions lost by 66 runs to fall 0-1 down in the series, the right-hander showed his class. He smashed 94 runs off 66 balls with the help of six fours and seven sixes.

He was also involved in a 135-run stand for the opening wicket with Jason Roy off 14.2 overs. When Roy and Bairstow were going all guns blazing, England found themselves in the drivers’ seat while chasing 318. Once the duo perished, the visitors’ batting fell apart like a pack of cards.

Bairstow, meanwhile, was pretty satisfied with his performance in India. Before his knock in Pune, he got a few useful scores in the T20I series, scoring runs at an average of 39.33 while batting at number four.

“I am happy with it (his performances in India). I was there at the end of it in two of the games. I think if you’re batting at 4, to be there in two of the games, I am pretty happy with how it is going.”

“It is great to be developing the skills because like you say it is a slightly different role. But at the same time, it is a good role to be in because you have an opportunity to be there at the end, winning games,” he added.