India wicket-keeper KS Bharat is in line to play his first overseas Test when India take on Australia in the WTC Final 2023 from June 7 at The Oval.
Having made his debut in the 4-Test series at home against Australia in Rishabh Pant’s absence, Bharat is contending for a spot in the XI with uncapped Test keeper-batsman Ishan Kishan.
The ICC caught up with Bharat ahead of the all-important WTC Final. In the interview, the 29-year-old Andhra keeper spoke about the special suggestions he received from CSK captain MS Dhoni.
Bharat warmed the bench for the Gujarat Titans during the IPL 2023. However, he got to learn plenty from MS Dhoni in the post-match chats with the CSK skipper. The talks revolved around wicket-keeping in England where the ball tends to move and wobble after passing the batsman.
“Recently during the IPL I had a word with Mahendra,” Bharat told the ICC.“He (talked about) his experiences keeping in England as well as what would work the best for any wicket-keeper. It was a very good conversation and there were a lot of insights from that.”
What is the thing about MS Dhoni that KS Bharat so admires?
He answered: “It’s the awareness – the best example is MS Dhoni, the awareness he has in keeping is outstanding,” Bharat added.
“You need intent and passion to be a keeper, because keeping is a thankless job. You keep 90 overs in a Test day and you have to be concentrating ball by ball, so you have to accept the challenges and embrace it and be really passionate about contributing to the team.”
In the 4 Tests in his debut series against Australia, Bharat scored 101 runs in 6 innings with a best of 44. Ishan Kishan has been roped in as the replacement of the injured KL Rahul. There was a chance that even KL Rahul would have donned the gloves in the WTC Final.
Former India head coach opined that the decision between Bharat and Ishan Kishan could be taken after India decide their bowling combination.
“I have a feeling that India might just go with, depending on who’s playing – if two spinners are playing, maybe KS Bharat, but if there are four seamers and one spinner playing, then it’ll go the other way, it might go Ishan Kishan’s way,” Shastri said on Star Sports.
