With India continuing to slide in the WTC Final 2023, it was the perfect stage for KS Bharat to emulate Rishabh Pant. But Bharat disappointed yet again as he could only manage five runs, dismissed off the first ball on Day 3. Disappointed fans termed him a “walking wicket” as Scott Boland’s delivery went through the gates to shatter his stumps. But it complicates things for Team India. With Pant likely to be out for another 6-8 months, who will fill in his place?
Rishabh Pant lived for those situations. In the last three years, he became India’s Man Friday. While he will always be remembered for Gabba heroics, there was Chennai, Ahmedabad, Cape Town, and Birmingham among others.
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While keeper KS Bharat did fill in his shoes brilliantly, he failed miserably with the bat. The other option India have on the bench is Ishan Kishan. But can is he a Test fit yet? There are plenty of question marks on his Test skills despite scoring tons of runs in First Class cricket.
KS Bharat could not handle Scott Boland’s pace, neither his length and line. On Thursday, in the wee hours of the Test, he had to call on the physio twice in just first 10 minutes of his stay.
On Friday, he was dismissed off the first ball he faced. He still has an innings left. But as things stand, things look grim for Bharat.
Who are possible alternatives?
However, the real question is who will be Rishabh Pant’s replacement until he comes back fully fit?
The options are limited. There is KL Rahul. But the amount of injuries he has suffered, whether he is fit enough to keep wickets in Test is a question.
Among uncapped (Test) players, there are Ishan Kishan, Jitesh Sharma, Sanju Samson and Narayan Jagadeesan. However, Jagadeesan failed to live up to his expectations in IPL.
Is Wriddhiman Saha an option?
Not among runs in red-ball cricket and age not by his side, Wriddhiman Saha is still the best temporary fix for Team India. When India tour West Indies in July, there will be no one better to look at. But will he earn a recall even after being told, he is not in plans by Rahul Dravid?
It’s tricky. Even though Saha has demonstrated his skills in IPL, it was never enough to woo the selectors again. As things stand, Ishan Kishan is set for Test debut in West Indies.
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