IPL 2022 | Jonny Bairstow reflects on his heroics against RCB

Jonny Bairstow was at his absolute best last night as he slammed a 29-ball-66 that helped the Punjab Kings (PBKS) immensely in reaching a mammoth total of 209 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), which they defended successfully. With this blistering knock, Bairstow, who was having a bad tournament so far, finally got his mojo back. 

When enquired about his tough tournament leading up to this magnificent knock, Bairstow replied that there is a difference in being unselfish and it being a difficult tournament. Elaborating his statement, the dynamic keeper-batter said that he went through several unfortunate dismissals while playing unselfishly. 

He was caught in the fine leg twice, third man once and was run out in the last over. He basically wanted to say that his numbers don't reflect these little things and what they show is that he was struggling with the bat in the competition, which is not entirely true. 

The swashbuckling English batter also admitted that it gives him immense satisfaction to finally be used as an opener 

"It depends on what you class as a tough tournament, really. Because obviously, I have been caught at fine leg twice, third man once, and run out on 19.5 overs, so there is a difference in being unselfish and it being a difficult competition. I am happy with the way I have transitioned to opening the batting. It has been very enjoyable being back at the top," Bairstow said. 

The battle between Bairstow and Josh Hazlewood was expected to be a nail-biting one considering the latter's ability to target the off-stump channel with unreal consistency. 

However, it turned out to be a one-sided affair as Bairstow smashed Hazlewood for 20 runs involving two fours and as many sixes in his very first over. On being asked about his heroics against Hazlewood, Bairstow said that as a T20 batter, all he thinks is if the ball is in his arc, he needs to deposit it in the stands. As Bairstow put it, he might have been caught inside the rope some other day, but yesterday was a good day for him as he was able to capitalise on the field restrictions appropriately in the power-play. 

"Just think that sometimes there are balls in your area, and you have to try to take advantage of that," Bairstow said. "Sometimes it is fine lines where you might get caught on the boundary, just inside the rope, or you might get a thin edge on another one. Today was a good day. Was happy to take advantage of the power-play," the 32-year-old concluded.