KS Bharat keeps wickets for India for the first time; standing in for Saha

In what can be a proud moment for the people of Vizag, wicketkeeper-batsman, KS Bharat, played for India, for the first time. In the ongoing India vs New Zealand Test series, as the Indian team walked onto the field in Kanpur, there was a fresh face behind the stumps. Soon the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that it is KS Bharat, who is keeping wickets for India, standing in for Saha.

On the field, Bharat was in action as he straightaway took a sharp catch off the bowling of R Ashwin to dismiss Will Young. This catch by this Vizag lad, led to Young missing his first ever maiden test century by 11 runs. This nice and low catch was initially not given out by the umpires. As India stuck with the review, the decision turned in favour for India. 

Recently, on 12 November, 2021, it was a celebration for the cricket fraternity as KS Bharat was selected in the Test squad against New Zealand. India – New Zealand test series. Soon after the official announcement, from the BCCI, several cricket loyalists and members from the cricket fraternity, put out their best wishes for the Vizag lad. They congratulated him and pinned their hopes on KS Bharat getting a chance in the playing eleven. Finally, with KS Bharat playing for India, their prayers have been answered. 

In 2019, when India took on Bangladesh in its maiden Day-Night test at Kolkata, Bharat was drafted into the squad as a backup for the regular wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha. Subsequently, he was roped in for the ODI series against Australia as a cover for Rishabh Pant, who was injured during the first ODI in Mumbai. KS Bharat plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.

Before he was picked for India’s first pink ball test against Bangladesh in 2019, Bharat played for India Blue in the 2018-19 Duleep Trophy. Bharat has scored 9 centuries in his first-class career so far and 3 List-A hundreds. The 26-year-old rose to fame when he became the first wicket-keeper batsman to score a triple hundred in Ranji Trophy while representing Andhra Pradesh in 2015.