Brendon McCullum backs star English batter despite poor show in Test against India

India vs England 3rd Test is over with the Men in Blue winning the game by 434 runs and taking a lead of 2-1 in the 5-match series. England's 'Bazball' type of gameplay did not suit them in the third game as they kept on losing wickets while chasing a target of 556 runs. Jonny Bairstow's form in the series has raised questions over the batter's place in the team. 

In the last six innings, his highest score is 37. With eye-catching poor form, the batter needs to step up in the upcoming two tests. Three times he got the start but could not convert it in the big scores. The experienced batter has been disappointed in himself for not even being able to get into the double figures on the good batting track in Rajkot. He was dismissed for a duck in the first innings and in the second, he scored only 4. 

Ahead of the 4th Test, their head coach Brendon McCullum has backed his batter in terms of the poor form. His average after participating in 11 Tests in India is 25, which is 11 lower than his career Test average. He has four ducks in India and only three half-centuries.

We know that a top-quality Jonny Bairstow is as good: Brendon McCullum

McCullum is not prepared to give up on the big-hitting right-hander who has delivered the goods for three Lions consistently in the recent past. He said, "I'm not blind but he's done so well for us. We know that a top-quality Jonny Bairstow is as good as anyone in any condition, so we've got to keep on giving him confidence and block out a lot of the external noise. 

"I haven’t even seen the wicket. But I’d anticipate Jonny would be playing, yes. So from our point of view, we’ve got to keep on giving him confidence and block out a lot of the external noise as well and keep him really present and focused on what he’s trying to achieve, and I’m sure Jonny will come good. (I will) spend a bit of time with Jonny and remind him that he’s such a wonderful player."