In Bairstow's view, conditions in India lend themselves to surges at the death. "The teams that have been able to go [harder] for longer at 35 overs through to 50 have built, built, built," he said, "to get them into a position where your Nos. 5-8 can go 'boff' with two men in. That's how, generally, teams have gone over a period of time in India."
For many years, India's top order did prioritise stability: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli used to bat deep into a 50-over innings before a late launch. But recently,
their method has changed. Rohit has come out firing in the last two years; at this World Cup, India have scored at 6.66 runs per over in the first powerplay - and that despite slipping to 5 for 3 against Australia in Chennai.
Across ODI cricket over the last three years, the new balls have swung more than they used to - but England still believe the best way to stop that is by hitting early boundaries, ideally into the LED advertising boards or the stands. "If you get a couple of scuffs on it early doors, that can change it," Bairstow said.
Bairstow himself was unfortunate to be given out lbw in England's defeat to Afghanistan, with the DRS showing 'umpire's call' for impact and predicting the ball would have barely clipped leg stump. He would not be drawn on it: "The decision the other day was the decision the other day."
But Saturday night's game against South Africa - at a venue with pace, bounce and a small playing area - should be an opportunity for him to get off to a flier. If he does, Bairstow can set the tone for an England batting line-up that needs to rediscover its aggression.