HYDERABAD: It was in November 2019 that Andhra wicketkeeper Kona Srikar Bharat was first drafted into the India Test squad as a canopy for Wriddhiman Saha for the second sport towards Bangladesh. In November 2021, Bharat took the sphere within the first Test towards New Zealand as a substitute for the injured Saha and managed to take two catches and stumped Tom Latham (95) off Axar Patel.
Three years for the reason that first name, the Andhra batter continues to be seeking to make his India debut. It is just not that he fell out of the radar however a few elements, particularly a phenomenon known as Rishabh Pant, saved Bharat stranded on the bench throughout this era.
Any different participant may have misplaced his confidence after warming the bench for therefore lengthy, however Bharat is made from sterner stuff. He simply saved engaged on his sport and performing within the India A video games and home matches. “He is a tough cricketer,” MSK Prasad, former chairman of the National senior choice committee, informed TOI on Monday.
“Bharat has been a safe wicketkeeper after Saha and we had projected him as such – a guy who can replace Saha in the team. To Bharat’s misfortune, Pant came along and established himself in the team with some scintillating performances. Bharat couldn’t get the opportunities because of it but I think his time has finally come. He needs to grab it with both hands now,” Prasad stated.
The unlucky accident to Pant has opened the door for Bharat. “He thoroughly deserves it as he has been performing very consistently for India A and in domestic cricket during the last few years. He has made a definite case for himself to be in the Indian team. So, I am sure that he will carry that confidence with him. He has been around the Indian team for a couple of years, and he is comfortable with the team management and the set up. He has had the same kind of set up with India A too so it’s a wonderful time for him to make a mark. It’s a great opportunity for him and if he can keep wickets well and get some runs, he will be a good asset for the team. I have no doubts about his capability,” the primary Test cricketer from Andhra stated.
Speaking of Bharat’s early days, Prasad stated: “I saw him when he was keeping wickets as a 11-year-old kid. Since then, we always had a special liking for him and during his under-16 days there were three wicketkeepers in Andhra. The other two were doing very well but we didn’t let Bharat out of our sight. We took him in the playing XI purely as a batsman and slowly over the years, the other two phased out but Bharat hung in there.”
Prasad says it’s Bharat’s psychological toughness which marks him out. “He has a strong mind and doesn’t let things affect him. He has taken all the disappointments in his stride. I think he will get his opportunity this season as there are four Test matches against Australia,” he stated.
“He has a lot of runs behind him and has kept wickets well at every given opportunity and has been with the system for some time now. Hence, he understands things quite well,” the previous Andhra stumper added.
Bharat, who holds the document of being the primary wicketkeeper to attain a triple century in Ranji Trophy, is 29 years outdated and can it go towards him? “Test cricket is all about experience. There are quite a few cricketers who have made their debut at 30 plus and because of their consistent performances they lasted long. I am sure Bharat too will be in that league and do extremely well for himself and the country,” he stated.
With Ishan Kishan too within the ODI squad for India’s video games towards New Zealand, Bharat may discover it robust to get into the enjoying XI. Is Bharat good for the longer codecs solely? “He started off as a longer format player but subsequently he has done well in the Vijay Hazare, Mushtaq Ali and also in the IPL when he played for Royal Challengers Bangalore. So, he has evolved himself as an all-format player with the experience he gained in the last few years,” Prasad stated.
Three years for the reason that first name, the Andhra batter continues to be seeking to make his India debut. It is just not that he fell out of the radar however a few elements, particularly a phenomenon known as Rishabh Pant, saved Bharat stranded on the bench throughout this era.
Any different participant may have misplaced his confidence after warming the bench for therefore lengthy, however Bharat is made from sterner stuff. He simply saved engaged on his sport and performing within the India A video games and home matches. “He is a tough cricketer,” MSK Prasad, former chairman of the National senior choice committee, informed TOI on Monday.
“Bharat has been a safe wicketkeeper after Saha and we had projected him as such – a guy who can replace Saha in the team. To Bharat’s misfortune, Pant came along and established himself in the team with some scintillating performances. Bharat couldn’t get the opportunities because of it but I think his time has finally come. He needs to grab it with both hands now,” Prasad stated.
The unlucky accident to Pant has opened the door for Bharat. “He thoroughly deserves it as he has been performing very consistently for India A and in domestic cricket during the last few years. He has made a definite case for himself to be in the Indian team. So, I am sure that he will carry that confidence with him. He has been around the Indian team for a couple of years, and he is comfortable with the team management and the set up. He has had the same kind of set up with India A too so it’s a wonderful time for him to make a mark. It’s a great opportunity for him and if he can keep wickets well and get some runs, he will be a good asset for the team. I have no doubts about his capability,” the primary Test cricketer from Andhra stated.
Speaking of Bharat’s early days, Prasad stated: “I saw him when he was keeping wickets as a 11-year-old kid. Since then, we always had a special liking for him and during his under-16 days there were three wicketkeepers in Andhra. The other two were doing very well but we didn’t let Bharat out of our sight. We took him in the playing XI purely as a batsman and slowly over the years, the other two phased out but Bharat hung in there.”
Prasad says it’s Bharat’s psychological toughness which marks him out. “He has a strong mind and doesn’t let things affect him. He has taken all the disappointments in his stride. I think he will get his opportunity this season as there are four Test matches against Australia,” he stated.
“He has a lot of runs behind him and has kept wickets well at every given opportunity and has been with the system for some time now. Hence, he understands things quite well,” the previous Andhra stumper added.
Bharat, who holds the document of being the primary wicketkeeper to attain a triple century in Ranji Trophy, is 29 years outdated and can it go towards him? “Test cricket is all about experience. There are quite a few cricketers who have made their debut at 30 plus and because of their consistent performances they lasted long. I am sure Bharat too will be in that league and do extremely well for himself and the country,” he stated.
With Ishan Kishan too within the ODI squad for India’s video games towards New Zealand, Bharat may discover it robust to get into the enjoying XI. Is Bharat good for the longer codecs solely? “He started off as a longer format player but subsequently he has done well in the Vijay Hazare, Mushtaq Ali and also in the IPL when he played for Royal Challengers Bangalore. So, he has evolved himself as an all-format player with the experience he gained in the last few years,” Prasad stated.