IPL Auction 2023: KS Bharat Bought By Gujarat Titans (GT) For 1.20 Crores

Published - 23 Dec 2022, 06:32 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

IPL Auction 2023- KS Bharat Bought By Gujarat Titans For 1.20 Crores

The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat was bought by the Gujarat Titans (GT) for INR 1.20 crore at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 mini-auction, which is currently being held in Kochi.

Defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) released just 6 players, including 2 – Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Lockie Ferguson- traded to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), ahead of the mini-auction. They had 18 players in the squad, of which 5 were overseas.

Gujarat Titans (GT) entered the mini-auction with a healthy purse of INR 19.25 crore to spend on a maximum of 7 players, including 3 overseas. They made two big acquisitions at the start of the auction as they managed to get Kane Williamson and Odean Smith at their base price.

The third big acquisition of Gujarat Titans (GT) was the wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat, who plays for Andhra Cricket Team in domestic cricket. In February 2015, KS Bharat became the first wicketkeeper-batter to score a triple ton in the Ranji Trophy and the same year he was roped in by the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for INR 10 lakh, however, he didn’t get an opportunity to play.

He played in the IPL for the first time in 2021 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and scored 191 runs in 8 games at an average of 38.20 and a strike rate of 122.43.

He was then released by RCB and was picked by Delhi Capitals (DC) for INR 2 crore, at 10 times his base price, at the IPL 2022 mega auction in Bengaluru. However, KS Bharat played just 2 games in 2022 and scored 8 runs.

Meanwhile, KS Bharat entered the IPL 2023 mini-auction with a base price of INR 20 lakh. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made the opening bid for him, but soon Gujarat Titans (GT) joined and managed to acquire him for INR 1.20 crore. KS Bharat will most likely be serving as a backup for Wriddhiman Saha at GT.