India vs Australia: KS Bharat, who made his Test debut on Thursday, was proactive behind the stumps, chipping in with DRS call and affecting the stumping of Marnus Labuschagne on Day 1 of the Nagpur Test.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 10, 2023 10:01 IST
Debutant wicketkeeper KS Bharat stresses importane of being proactive with DRS (AP Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: Debutant wicketkeeper KS Bharat on Friday, February 10 underlined the importance of a wicketkeeper being proactive with helping the captain with Decision Review System (DRS) calls in Test cricket. Bharat made his Test debut for India after receiving his cap from senior batter Cheteshwar Pujara on Day 1 of the 1st Border-Gavaskar Test series between India and Australia in Nagpur.
KS Bharat was called into action as early as the 2nd over of the Test match when Mohammed Siraj trapped Australia opener Usman Khawaja LBW after Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat on a dry pitch at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. On-field umpire Nitin Menon turned down Siraj’s appeal but captain Rohit Sharma had a long chat with Bharat and Siraj before taking the DRS with one second left in the 15-second timer.
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The DRS worked in their favour as India successfully overturned the on-field call and Khawja had to return to the pavilion for 1. The ball tracking showed 3 reds as Siraj’s late inswinger hit Khawaja’s pads on line and swung enough to hit the middle of the leg-stump.
It was a test of character for 29-year-old Bharat early in his Test debut but he held his nerve and got it right, helping India make the early breakthrough.
“Keeping comes with a lot of challenges and you need to be proactive with the DRS. It’s not just catching the ball, you should be able to understand where the ball is landing and where the ball is ending, which makes it little interesting and I’m definitely enjoying the role,” KS Bharat told the broadcasters on Friday.
Bharat was picked ahead of Ishan Kishan as India went for a more orthodox wicketkeeper-batter to replace Rishabh Pant, who was ruled out of the series due to injuries that he suffered in a nasty car crash in December.
LABUSCHAGNE STUMPING
Bharat showcased his class with the gloves when he stumped Marnus Labuschagne to affect his first dismissal at the highest level. Labuschagne was batting on 49 when he tried to skip down the track and attack a full-length delivery from Ravindra Jadeja.
However, the ball spun and Bharat was quick to follow the line of the ball and take the bails off. The wicket proved to the be the turning point on Day 1 as it broke an 82-run stand between the World No. 1 Test batter and Steve Smith.
India were able to wrap up Australia for 177 on Day 1 with Jadeja picking a 5-wicket haul on comeback and R Ashwin playing the perfect second fiddle with 3 wickets.
“I was always expecting a chance that I could come into play. Right from ball one, I was just looking to play out of the situation. Thankfully, there was a chance and I grabbed onto it. Jaddu bhai bowled really well and the who unit did a fantastic job restricting them,” he added.
Bharat’s family was at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur to cheer the wicketkeeper on when he received the Test cap. Notably, Bharat and Suryakumar Yadav’s families were invited to the team huddle when the two players received their maiden Test caps.
“Definitely a proud moment for me and my whole family. Thanks to all the people who supported me over the years, right from my team-mates and everyone who believed in me,” he added.
