Watch: KS Bharat brings out 'Bows and Arrows' in ongoing match between India A and England Lions

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman KS Bharat has been part of the Indian Test team for a long time and came into the team as a perfect replacement for Wriddhiman Saha. However, Bharat was not able to impress in his debut Test series against Australia in February last year and hence was excluded from the team. Bharat was not given a chance to the tour of West Indies and South Africa but now has earned a place back into the team for the five-match Test series against England.

KS Bharat showed a great display of batting during the first India A vs England Lions unofficial Test and smashed 116* runs in the fourth innings while chasing down 490 runs in the fourth innings. Bharat smashed a total of 15 fours throughout his innings and added 207 runs with Manav Suthar who was also unbeaten on 89 runs off 254 balls.

While the whole nation is dipped in the worship of lord Ram over the inauguration of his grand temple in Ayodhya on January 22, KS Bharat also offered his prayers to lord Ram and celebrated his century in unique style. After reaching the 3-figure mark, Bharat gestured raised his bat like a bow, and celebrated with his gloves and resembled it like an arrow.

KS Bharat offers his prayers to Lord Ram

KS Bharat dedicated his hundred against England Lions to “Lord Ram”.

– Bharat did bow & arrow celebration…!!!!pic.twitter.com/B13stcQBu7

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 21, 2024

India A put up a brilliant batting display in the second innings after a flop show in the first. Apart from KS Bharat and Manav Suthar, Sai Sudharsan hit 97 runs whereas Sarfaraz Khan was also able to hit 54 runs. The match ended in a draw and England batsman Keaton Jennings was adjudged as the Player of the Match.

In the first unofficial Test against India A, the England Lions performed brilliantly, batting first and amassing a total of 553/8. Josh Bohannon, the captain, and Keaton Jennings both scored hundreds while playing 125 and 154 runs, respectively.

India A were wrapped up for 227 runs in their maiden innings of batting, with Rajat Patidar being the lone bright spot throughout the innings. Patidar scored 151 runs throughout his innings, but the other batsmen failed to make an impression and were removed cheaply.

The England Lions, batting in the third innings, declared at 163/6, with Keaton Jennings scoring 64 runs from 65 balls to lead the way once more. The series’ second and third matches are scheduled for January 24 and February 1, respectively.

However, apart from the England Lions, their main side will also be playing their first Test match against Rohit Sharma-led India from January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. England have faced disappointing losses on their previous two India tours, whereas they are also the only country to defeat India in India in the last 12 years.

The Ben Stokes-led side will be arriving in India 3 days before the start of the series after finishing their training camp in Abu Dhabi. The five-match series is very important from the World Test Championship point of view and India would aim to win the series and add necessary points to the table.