Andhra wicketkeeper batsman KS Bharat has been called as back-up in the Indian ODI squad after Rishabh Pant got ruled out of the second match against Australia with a concussion injury.

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Pant coped a blow on his helmet during the first ODI in Mumbai and KL Rahul had to don the keeping gloves.

Bharat was called late after it emerged that Pant will not travel with the Indian team to Rajkot. The 26-year-old will be in the team as a cover for Rahul and there is a little chance that he will feature in the playing XI for second ODI, slated to take place on Friday (January 17).

The selectors, it is understood, had no option but to pick Bharat as other two keepers in Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are currently in New Zealand with India A.

Meanwhile, Pant is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He is expected to be fit for the third and final ODI, scheduled to be held in Bangalore on January 19.

KS Bharat, who is ranked among the best glovesman in India’s domestic circuit, averages 28.14 in 51 List A matches with three hundreds and five half-centuries.

Having suffered a humiliating 10-wicket defeat in the first ODI, the Men in Blue are trailing the three-match series 1-0.