KS Bharat scored 8, 6, 23*, 17, 3 and 44 against Australia in the Test series.
Indian wicketkeeper-batsman KS Bharat revealed that he loves challenging the pacers after hitting back-to-back sixes off Cameron Green’s bouncers on Day 4 of the fourth and final Test against Australia.
He might not have scored big, but he impressed many with his good footwork against spin and his positive yet aggressive attitude against the Australian pacers in the final that ended in a draw on Monday (March 13).
The right-hander scored his highest Test score of 44 and also added 84 runs with Virat Kohli after being promoted up the batting order in Ahmedabad. Bharat was given the opportunity to bat at number six after Shreyas Iyer was not available to bat due to back pain.
“Yes (it was a plan). Initially, the first over I was waiting to see if he was bowling full or only bouncers, he bowled 6 bouncers, so I knew he was going to do the same in his next over and I was ready to take him on. That's my shot, I like to handle fast bowling, handling the pace,” Bharat said at the start of the final day's play of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Bharat did not manage to impress with the bat in the first 3 Tests, managing scores of 8, 6, 23 not out, 17 and 3 across 5 innings. However, Bharat chipped in with 44 in an 84-run partnership with Virat Kohli,
On his promotion in the batting order at the last moment, the keeper noted: “If you are playing for India, you've to be ready to do any kind of work. That's what is required. So, When Rahul Sir told me that I would be going in to bat next (at the fall of the 4th wicket), I was ready to do so.”
Bharat signed off by saying, “Playing for India is an absolute pleasure, I love playing and representing your country, it's a dream come true.”
(With India Today Inputs)