KS Bharat, a 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman from Andhra Pradesh has been named in the squad for the Australia ODI series. KS Bharat will replace Injured Rishabh Pant in the remaining ODIs of the series. Rishabh Pant was hurt in the first ODI played against Australia. During the batting, Pant was hit on the helmet by Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc. After this, he did not play in the second innings. KL Rahul was seen wicket-keeping in his place.
The All India Senior Selection Committee has named KL Bharat as the backup wicketkeeper in place of Rishabh Pant. He will join the team in Rajkot ODI. The Indian team is trying to return to the series after losing the first match of the series. India lost by 10 wickets in the first match of the three-match ODI series played in Mumbai. KS Bharat has done quite well in domestic cricket playing for Andhra Pradesh. He has a total of 4143 runs in 74 first-class matches to his name at an average of 37.66. Bharat has so far scored a total of 9 centuries and 22 half-centuries.
The decision has been taken after Rishabh Pant left for rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Pant was hit on the helmet by Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc in the Mumbai ODI. After this, he was dropped from the second ODI played in Rajkot. If Pant gets fit in the last match, then he will return to the team.
