IND vs WI: 'It Was Virat Kohli...'- Joe Root Mentions India Star As He Fires Jonny Bairstow Warning To Australia

All eyes will be on Jonny Bairstow as England and Australia gear up for the highly-anticipated third Ashes Test. The third match of the five-Test series is scheduled to get underway on Thursday (June 6) at Headingley, Bairstow’s home ground.

The England star’s contentious dismissal in the second Test has caused a huge controversy. He was stumped by Alex Carey after he left the crease believing that the ball was dead. Australia appealed for a stumping and got the decision in their favor. While Bairstow did not show any frustration during the dismissal, his stone reactions when the players were shaking hands after the game made it clear that he was furious.

Joe Root fires Jonny Bairstow warning to Australia:

Jonny Bairstow was out for just 10 runs in the second innings and his dismissal proved crucial in deciding the outcome of the game. Chasing 371, England were all out for 327 to lose the game by 43 runs. He will be desperate to score big in the third Test and his teammate Joe Root has fired a timely warning to Australia.

The former England skipper has said that his teammate is in the mood to put things in their right place when the third Test gets underway.

“You can bet your bottom dollar he will have the bit between his teeth. I don’t think he took it great. I don’t think anyone would, would they,” said Root. He does thrive off things like this. You will be able to spot his mood a mile off.”

Root recalled the Test against India last year when Virat Kohli tried to get under Bairstow’s skin and the latter responded in style. The right-handed batsman smashed a stunning century to help England register a crushing victory over India. Bairstow was on 13 off 60 when Kohli sledded him and went on to score his third consecutive Test hundred in 119 balls.

“Go back to Edgbaston last year. Someone said something to him – I think it was Virat Kohli – and it brought the best out of him. Let’s hope that happens again.”

“There is always something like this in these big series and this one would have to involve Jonny,” Root added.

“Jonny was not trying to gain an advantage. It wasn’t like he was at the non-striker’s end trying to sneak a run or batting out of his crease to take modes of dismissal out of the game. So yes he felt hard done by. And I don’t think anyone will be leaving their crease here.

“So we have to use all the fuel but do it in a controlled manner. That doesn’t mean not to show any emotion because that might be how to get someone like Jonny going. Everyone will deal with this in different ways. But we must not get too carried away with it all,” said Root.

Meanwhile, England will also be desperate to turn things around after losing the first two Tests. The Ben Stokes-led side needs to win the third Test to keep alive their slim hopes of winning the series and reclaiming the Ashes.