IND v NZ 2021: WATCH – “I only had 12 minutes to get set for the game”, says substitute wicketkeeper KS Bharat

KS Bharat did a fine job behind the stumps as a substitute for Wriddhiman Saha.

By Salman Anjum - 28 Nov, 2021

KS Bharat, who donned the gloves as a substitute for Wriddhiman Saha on Day 3 of the Kanpur Test between India and New Zealand, played a key role to bring the hosts back in the game.

Kiwi openers Tom Latham and Will Young were taking the Test match away from India as they had added 151 runs for the first wicket.

It was then Bharat produced magic for the home side, plucking a fine low catch and then persuading stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane to take DRS which ended Young’s innings on 89. The substitute wicketkeeper also pulled off a magnificent stumping to get rid of the well-set Latham on 95.

In the end, India bowled out the visitors for 296 to take a handy first-innings lead of 49 runs.

After the stumps on Day 3, Bharat revealed that he only had 12 minutes to get ready for the wicketkeeping job. He had to perform the role after Wriddhiman Saha was taken out due to the stiffness in his neck.

"Normally, I was doing my morning routine and then the support staff told me to get ready. I only had 12 minutes to get set for the game," KS Bharat told Akshar Patel and R Ashwin in a video posted on bcci.tv.

Talking about his catch to dismiss Will Young, Bharat said, "I knew the time I walked in that the ball is keeping low, so the best chance is to be behind the ball and keep making adjustments."

In the second innings, Team India scored 14/1 before the stumps on Day 3. Mayank Agarwal (4*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (9*) were unbeaten in the middle as the home side extended their lead to 63 runs.

By Salman Anjum - 28 Nov, 2021

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