India squad conundrum continues. Though India made a strong comeback to level the series 1-1, there are few areas that need adjustment. Special focus is on the keeper’s role. KS Bharat has been decent as a keeper and okayish with the bat. With no Ishan Kishan, India is left with youngster Dhruv Jurel waiting on the bench.
Now the curious case of Ishan Kishan continues. The bottom line is that Ishan Kishan has to play regularly to be in contention for the selection in the National team. In terms of white ball cricket, there are other options, in the form of Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma.
However, India doesn’t have the same luxury in red ball cricket. With no Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul being used as a specialist batter, India’s only prominent keeper is KS Bharat. Had the Ishan Kishan fiasco didn’t take place, things would have been completely different.
But KS Bharat is slowly moving to the edge. He needs to rack up some good numbers under his belt to prove his worth in the team. He has managed (41,28,17,6) in the past 2 matches.
The demand of the job is high and KS Bharat needs to deliver. Apart from him, the only option to fall back in 23-year-old Dhruv Jurel. But there is still time for the youngster to get his maiden call-up. On the other hand, India won’t take the risk of allowing KL Rahul to keep given that he has just returned from injury.
Under such circumstances, the only viable option that remains in the hand of India is to use KS Bharat as their designated keeper in the team.