The 34-year-old Bairstow is poised to join an elite group of English cricketers as the 17th player to achieve a century of Test caps when he takes the field for the fifth and final Test against India, commencing on Thursday.
For Bairstow, this upcoming week carries profound emotional weight, as he reflects on a difficult upbringing and a career marked by adversity, including a significant injury that threatened his future in the sport.
India vs England 4th Test: India beat England, secure 17th straight Test series win at home
“It means hell of a lot. It will be an emotional week for me,” Bairstow said of the marquee game.
Bairstow was just 8 when his father David, a former England wicketkeeper, died by suicide. His mother Janet kept the family together even as she battled and defeated breast cancer twice.
Speaking about the pitch for the match, he lauded the groundsmen for doing a brilliant job not long after the venue’s outfield was criticised during the ODI World Cup.
“The ground staff has done a brilliant job with the outfield considering the state it was in during the ODI World Cup.
“It looks like a good pitch and if you are alluding to the fast bowlers getting help from the surface, it will be favourable to both teams,” Bairstow said.
Bairstow has also played his 100th ODI in Dharamsala and asked about the venue, he said, “Cape Town is my favourite but don’t think there is a more picturesque ground in the world than Dharamsala.”
India have already sealed an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the series.
(With inputs from PTI)
