KS Bharat joins the Indian squad as injury cover for Rishabh Pant ahead of the 2nd ODI

Kona Srikat Bharath, the 26-year wicketkeeper-batsman, has been added to the Indian team for the second ODI. The Andhra batsman will serve as a wicket-keeping backup to KL Rahul who will don the gloves for the second ODI.

Who Is KS Bharath? 

KS Bharath made his Ranji debut in 2012 and has been a regular fixture in the Andhra team for the past seven years. The right-hand batsman had a fantastic season with India A team in the first half of 2019. He was hailed as the player of the season for the team.

KS Bharath was called up for the test team and served as a backup to Wriddhiman Saha in the day-night test match against Bangladesh. Bharath had a fantastic season with the India A team in 2019 where he managed to score 686 runs in 11 unofficial test games. His wicket-keeping skills have are hailed as one of the best in India.

UPDATE – K S Bharat named back-up wicket-keeper for 2nd ODI.

Full details here – https://t.co/c9Pk84rkbM #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/ulOi6aKnRg

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 17, 2020

Where is Rishabh Pant? 

Rishabh Pant suffered a concussion injury in the 2nd ODI. The delivery from Pat Cummins claimed his wicket ricocheted from his bat and struck him on his helmet before bouncing for a simple catch to Ashton Turner who was standing at point. Rishabh Pant could not keep the wickets in the second innings which made KL Rahul don the gloves.

Pant was rushed to the hospital for a night where he was monitored and released in the morning. Pant was then sent to National Cricket Academy and was forced to miss the 2nd ODI as per the concussion guidelines of ICC. He is expected to be cleared for the 3rd ODI. However, the final call will be taken depending upon his progress during the rehabilitation process.

“With Sanju Samson & Ishan Kishan being a part of the India A side in New Zealand, the selection committee decided to name K S Bharat as back-up wicket-keeper,” BCCI said in a release. He was rushed to Rajkot from Hyderabad and is not expected to play in the second ODI.