Former Indian selector MSK Prasad suggested the Indian head coach and skipper should pick KS Bharat as the wicketkeeper batter in the playing XI instead of Ishan Kishan for the first test match against Australia.The veteran wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant is recovering from the accident on 30th December 2022. In the absence of Rishabh, Rohit has two options: KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan. KS Bharat has been travelling with the Test for a long time but hasn’t had the chance to feature in the playing XI. He will probably play the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting on 9th February.MSK Prasad has explained that KS has groomed himself as he is the specialist wicketkeeper in India A. He has been waiting for a long time to make his debut. Ishan needs to wait.”Bharat had been groomed and earmarked as India’s Test keeper since he played for India A. He tried to do his best in those matches and has done well overall in red-ball cricket. He has been waiting for his turn, and it appears he’ll be getting it in the coming Test.
As for Ishan, he needs to wait,” MSK Prasad told this on The Telegraph.MSK further added that in test cricket, the wicketkeeper must stand for a day long, so you should always pick a test wicketkeeper with a different mindset. It’s not only like 20 or 50 Overs. If KS Bharat fails to take the opportunity, then go for another option.“One requires a different mindset to be a wicketkeeper in Test matches. It’s not just about doing it for some 20 or 50 overs. You may have to stand behind the stumps for an entire day or more. I think such a situation may arise only if Bharat fails to use his opportunities.
They can then think of other options.” MSK further added.KS Bharat has played 86 first-class matches in which he has scored 4707 runs in 135 innings at an average of 37.95. His highest individual is 305 runs, with 9 centuries to his name.
