'I'm not blind but...': Head coach Brendon McCullum reacts to out-of-form batter’s criticism after Rajkot debacle

England’s middle-order has struggled to live up to the expectations in the ongoing Test series against India. After failing to score a half-century in the first three Tests, Jonny Bairstow drew a lot of flak from former cricketers. However, head coach Brendon McCullum has continued to back Bairstow despite scores of 0 and 4 in Rajkot. He also indicated that the team management is not yet looking to replace him with Dan Lawrence. 
 

"You know I can't answer that, I haven't even seen the wicket," McCullum told the reporters when asked about Bairstow's position. "But I'd anticipate Jonny would be playing, yes."
 

McCullum intends to give Bairstow confidence 

“Jonny’s not scored the volume of runs he would have wanted and a couple of times he’s got out kind of mildly for someone who’s got the power game he’s got,” McCullum said.
 

“I don’t have concerns over him. 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 conditions so 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."
 

McCullum waited for ‘law of averages’ to kick in for Root 

While Bairstow has managed to score 102 runs from six innings, former England skipper Joe Root is yet to cross the 30-run mark in an innings on the tour. Root faced widespread criticism after he played a reverse-scoop against Jasprit Bumrah to lose his wicket when England were in a good position. 
 

“Joe will be fine. It’s a great compliment to be in a funk after three Test matches. He just has to keep backing himself and wait for the luck to turn his way,” McCullum said. 
 

“The fact he’s missed out in three Tests, does that surely not just mean that he’s closer to getting a big score? It’s Joe Root, crikey. I mean, seriously? The law of averages suggests he’ll fill his boots in the next two Tests.”
 

The Ben Stokes-led England will look to level the series in the fourth Test in Ranchi starting February 23. 
 

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