Andhra Pradesh keeper-batter KS Bharat has impressed one and all with his work behind the stumps and also with his batting, whether it is in domestic cricket or the Indian Premier League (IPL). The right-hander has always managed to attract attention one way or another.
He has been a regular member of the India A squads and even the Team India squad and impressed one and all with his keeping skills in a Test against New Zealand in Kanpur as a substitute. However, he still awaits his official India debut, but Bharat says one needs the patience to become successful.
"It is easy to get emotional or disappointed, but what matters to me is to put in the hard yards. As long as I am doing that, I am happy. To be successful in any field, you need patience. There are no shortcuts to get there. I am just doing what I can and leaving the decisions to those who are supposed to do that,” he said to ESPNCricinfo.
Bharat has been India A's preferred keeper during the ongoing unofficial Tests against New Zealand A. He scored 74 runs in the rain-affected match in Hubbali and also took the catch of Joe Carter.
The keeper spoke about the benefits of the India A games for budding cricketers and says that this experience prepares players for international cricket.
"Over the past four years, I have been a part of several A tours. It provides great exposure and I believe it has really helped a lot of cricketers be ready for that step up to international cricket. These matches teach you all about how to cope with situations that you are likely to face when you play for India. VVS sir [current India A coach VVS Laxman] called this the platform to test our readiness for the highest level. Before this even [Rahul] Dravid sir used to often reiterate that this was the best way to prepare to give our best in any situation,” Bharat said.
He spoke of his experience of keeping in a Test last year against New Zealand when Wriddhiman Saha got injured. He said that he wasn’t overawed with the occasion as he had played with many cricketers in the past.
Bharat said: “This is the aim of the A tour: to make sure you aren't caught out when you play for the national team. And we've also had several internationals come and play with us on the A team, for instance we have Kuldeep Yadav and Shardul Thakur here. Some senior players have also been a part of our dressing rooms on A tours, and that also makes you comfortable when you walk into the India dressing room."
Bharat has been impressive in the IPL as well, especially in IPL 2021, when he scored 191 runs at an average of 38 in the UAE leg for RCB. But opportunities dried up for him as he was bought by Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2022 auction, where he has to compete for the keeper’s spot with captain Rishabh Pant.
"My concern is always in ensuring my team wins on any given day, whether I am a part of the XI or not. The team on any given day is dependent on conditions and the specific team-composition requirements. You just have to wait for your turn. And there are never any shortcuts to that,” he signed off.
(ESPNCricinfo inputs)
