12 innings with a highest score of 44, KS Bharat has failed to impress anyone in his brief Test career. In the IND vs ENG 2nd Test, it was yet another failure. After 17 in the first innings, Bharat could only manage 6 in the 2nd innings, falling to Rehan Ahmed both times. With squad selection for the remaining three Tests in India vs England coming up, he finds himself in a difficult spot, especially with a young Dhruv Jurel waiting for a chance and KL Rahul set to return after a hamstring strain.
One could argue that KS Bharat has had to play on tough pitches at No 6 or 7 when hitting has been difficult. However, even when he had to bat higher up due to a top-order collapse, the wicketkeeper-batter could not make it count. In fact, he is perhaps the only batter in the India side unfit of captain Rohit Sharma’s vision.
KS Bharat Test career
- Mat: 7
- Inn: 12
- Runs: 221
- Avg: 20.09
- SR: 52.99
- Fifty: 0
- Best: 44
The only reason KS Bharat still gets the nod ahead of Dhruv Jurel or Ishan Kishan is his wicketkeeping skills. He has been decent keeping against Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. However, even in that role, he has frequently failed to live up to the standards Rishabh Pant set.
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How long is too long?
Nobody understands the Vizag pitch better than KS Bharat. It is his home ground after all. But Axar Patel playing in difficult conditions outdid Bharat in both innings.
That he has only two 30+ scores in 12 innings does not look good for him. In the absence of Rishabh Pant, KS Bharat had the opportunity to continue the good work. Instead, he finds himself in a spot where even his staunch supporters cannot back him anymore.
At the BCCI Selection Committee meeting this week, perhaps Bharat will manage to keep his place in the squad. But come Feb 15 when Rohit Sharma announces India Playing XI for IND vs ENG 3rd Test, Bharat could be the first one to find himself out.
