KS Bharat in action for Indian cricket team© AFP
Former Indian cricket team batter Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his disappointment at the performance of wicket-keeper KS Bharat in the first two Tests against England. Bharat got a good start on a couple of occasions but was unable to convert that into a big knock. During a recent interaction, Manjrekar said that Bharat has not looked great since replacing Ishan Kishan in the Test series against South Africa and if he fails to produce a great show, the team management will have to look beyond for better options.
“It’s a lot like he’s playing his first series. He’s played before, he played all four Test matches against Australia and Rishabh Pant is due to come any time soon. So, I am not sure whether it is worthwhile and makes sense to keep investing in KS Bharat. He’s also not 20 years old and India had moved on from KS Bharat and gone to Ishan Kishan. So he’s done just enough to maybe just keep his place in the side. This team management believes in being fair to every individual, but I would personally look at another option before Rishabh Pant comes in and takes his place,” Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.
Manjrekar also pointed out that Rishabh Pant is on the road to recovery from the injuries suffered in a car accident and a comparison with him may not work out well for KS Bharat in the near future.
“India will start looking at KS Bharat whether his keeping is that good we can afford to have somebody who is not contributing as much with the bat. India of late and the world over, if you see is going for keepers who are decent good keepers but contribute with the bat. I mean look at Rishabh Pant in the last 3-4 years, his contribution with the bat. So, those are things that India will have to look at,” he added.
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