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"There's no complacent mindset" - KS Bharat opens up on wicketkeeping challenge on Indian pitches

By CA Writer

Updated - 01 Feb 2024, 06:56 PM

KS Bharat, Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid
KS Bharat, Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid [PC: X/Twitter]

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Indian wicketkeeper KS Bharat played the first Test against England in Hyderabad as the hosts wanted a specialist wicketkeeper to play the game in order to handle quality spinners. England won the series opener by 28 runs and India faced defeat even after taking a lead of 190 runs in the first innings. Ollie Pope played one of the best innings by a visiting batter in India as he scored 196 off 278 deliveries during England’s second innings.

India backed KS Bharat to do the job with the gloves and the wicketkeeper repaid the faith with some great takes in the first Test. However, Bharat believes that it is not something that comes naturally to him and claims that it involves a lot of hard work. Wicketkeeping is a tough job and it becomes an even tougher challenge when it is a Test match on a high-turning pitch in the subcontinent.

Speaking to the reporters ahead of the second Test, here’s what KS Bharat had to say about his wicketkeeping, especially against quality Indian spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, “There is nothing like comfort when playing sport. You should never think you are comfortable. The key thing is to be in the present. You have to be prepared all the time. There is no complacent mindset. I like to keep it simple.”
He further added, “It is interesting from behind the stumps. Being a wicketkeeper, it is fun while the batter plays reverse sweeps and sweeps as it keeps me in the game. If I can take a catch, I am happy to contribute. I always dreamt of keeping wickets for India. You practice as a keeper in a certain way in India. It does not impact my keeping.”
KS Bharat had a tough first Test in Hyderabad as he had to adapt as a wicketkeeper when the likes of Ollie Pope used sweeps and reverse sweeps continuously to tamper the rhythm of the Indian bowlers. Bharat will be prepared for more of the same in Visakhapatnam.

KS Bharat Will Be Playing On His Home Ground In The Second Test

KS Bharat will be the local boy when India faces England in the second Test at Visakhapatnam, which commences on Friday, February 2. While it will be an emotional moment personally for the wicketkeeper, he is fully focused on trying to get India back on level terms in the series. 

On this, Bharat stated, “Playing in front of your home crowd is special. I am looking at this as any other Test match. There is something to look forward to. We are looking to bounce back. There will be a lot of noise. Good and bad. You have to be in the present moment. I feel proud to be playing in front of my home crowds. We have to first win the Test match.”

India and England will face each other at Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vishakhapatnam and the hosts will be hoping for a win to level the series 1-1. England have won the first Test and are looking to maintain their lead by initiating another win or at least a draw in the second Test.

The hosts are yet to lose a Test series in India since 2012 when they were defeated by England 2-1 in the four-match series. India has won 16 consecutive home series since losing to England in 2012 and will hope to maintain the streak by winning the series against England. Four Tests are remaining in the series and India has the full opportunity to make a comeback.

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IND vs ENG 2024 India National Cricket Team India vs England Test series KS Bharat

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