Wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat on Thursday (February 9) recalled his journey to the top after making his India Test debut in the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur.

Bharat was picked ahead of Ishan Kishan in the line-up and he received his maiden Test cap from veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara.

Speaking to bcci.tv, the 29-year-old said it was a proud moment for him and paid tribute to his family, friends and coaches over the years.

"It was a lot of joy to go back over the years from where it all started. Coming all the way long here and watching my jersey. It's a very proud moment, lots of emotions. It is not just my dream, do many people have dreamt about me playing for India and doing well for India," said Bharat.

"So much of hard work behind me, a lot of support strength over the years right from my teammates, my family, my wife, my parents, my friends, coaches. Without their support, it wouldn't have been possible for me to share this stage today. I think a lot of credit goes to them for putting in all they had behind me and making me reach where I am today," he added.

The Andhra Pradesh lad also paid tribute to his coach, Jayakrishna Rao, who first saw the potential in KS Bharat to represent India.

"When I started playing first class, I never thought of this day to be very honest. It was my coach, Jayakrishna Rao. Credit to him. He believed I had the potential right when I wasn't believing it. In U-19, he told me I had the potential to keep wickets for India. At that time, I felt, fine, that's a long way away. Who knows what's going to happen the next day? This is him talking about five six years from now."

"There was an element that I have the passion for the sport. But whether I would make it to that level was still a question mark. Later, when we started working on my keeping, batting, when we started preparing for unknown challenges, it is when I enjoyed cricket more. For me to believe that I had potential to play for India, it took me four or five years of continuous performances. The first three years i had brilliant seasons, then I had a lean patch. And when I had a lean patch and bounced back, it is when I realized I had some potential to make it big and not just first-class."

"My journey has never skyrocketed. It has always consisted of small steps," said Bharat.