Jonny Bairstow is gearing up for an "emotional" milestone as he prepares to join the elite ranks of England's cricketers by playing his 100th Test match.
The 34-year-old will achieve this significant feat amidst the stunning backdrop of Dharamsala, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, as England seeks to conclude their tour of India on a positive note.
Despite the tourists already conceding the series, following a five-wicket loss in Ranchi which handed India an unassailable 3-1 lead, Bairstow remains focused on making his 100th Test memorable, potentially by notching his 13th Test century.
"It means a hell of a lot. Every young kid that sets out on a journey playing professional cricket wants to try and play 100 Test matches," said Bairstow, whose captain, Ben Stokes, reached the landmark earlier this month.
"You look back to 2012 when I made my debut at Lord's. If 12 years later you'd said I'd be playing 100 Test matches… you'd snap your hand off for one but also pinching yourself as well.
"It will be an emotional week. I'm proud, you know what I'm like, I'm an emotional guy - so get the tissues ready! It's a special week for me like it was a special week for Ben a few weeks ago.
"It's great to have my family out here, it's an amazing place to come, they've come to some pretty cool places along the way as well. It's a special occasion for everyone who has been there on the journey."
Reflecting on his journey, Bairstow's England career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. He set records for the most runs by a wicketkeeper in a calendar year in 2016 and showcased his batting prowess with four centuries during the memorable Bazball summer of 2022.
"I've probably batted the worst I have all trip," said Bairstow of his latest net session. "But the whole trip I've been happy with how I've been moving, I've been in the zone the whole way.
"No matter what it is, I'll be going out there, chewing my gum, puffing my chest out and trying to have a good time with the other 10 blokes out there.
"Whatever the situation is, we'll be going out there with smiles on our faces, like we have done in the whole series."
However, Bairstow has also endured setbacks, including a broken leg suffered 18 months ago, which required him to bounce back with resilience. Additionally, he has faced periods of exclusion from the England side, missing a total of 51 Tests since making his debut in 2012.
- Jonny Bairstow