Commentator Aakash Chopra is backing KS Bharat to continue in the XI for India in the ongoing IND vs ENG Test series. The former India opener is of the opinion that the keeper has been performing his role efficiently. Ahead of the 3rd Test at Rajkot, reports emerged earlier that Dhruv Jurel was likely to be picked in the XI ahead of Bharat after the latter’s below-par performance in the first two Tests.
Bharat gets Chopra’s backing
In a video on his YouTube channel, Chopra opines that he would be disappointed if the side decides to drop Bharat. He supplements his argument by pointing out that the keeper plays deep down the order and that he has been scoring runs despite batting at that position.
Chopra further points out there has been a lack of continuity with keepers after Rishabh Pant’s accident and that Bharat is a victim of that. He opines that Bharat should be given one more opportunity if the side is expecting him to score more runs.
As per Times of India, Jurel will potentially make his Test debut in Rajkot. Bharat, who has been India’s keeper for the series against SA and the first two Tests against England, has been poor with the bat so far. In 12 Test innings, he’s managed just 221 runs at an average of 20.09.
With 790 runs in 15 matches, including a top score of 249, Jurel has demonstrated his batting prowess. Though included in the squad for the first two Tests, he remained benched.
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