Former Team India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) keeper-batter KS Bharat has announced his retirement from international cricket, having played only seven Tests. In a lengthy message shared on Instagram, the 32-year-old thanked Virat Kohli, citing him as his IPL debut captain, for giving him the opportunity to showcase his skills in the cash-rich league and thereby earn recognition.
Who is KS Bharat?
Born on October 3, 1993 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Bharat loomed large as one of the keepers in the domestic cricket and more than an able batter. The right-handed batter made his Test debut during the home series against Australia in early 2023 as he got an opportunity due to Rishabh Pant’s absence after the latter’s near-fatal accident. While Bharat kept well, he largely struggled to contribute with the bat in his seven Tests, including the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at The Kia Oval in London.
Nevertheless, Bharat’s numbers in first-class cricket are promising, having accumulated 6102 runs in 113 appearances, averaging 36.53 with 11 centuries. Thanking the likes of Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, Bharat wrote:
“A big thank you to my IPL debut captain Virat Kohli for giving me an opportunity to show my skill and come into recognition. A big thank you to my Indian captain Rohit Sharma under whom I made by Test debut, which is priceless and beyond words. To my Indian coach Rahul Dravid sir, his guidance from India A to Indian team is unforgettable. With your support I could become an Indian Test cricketer.”
KS Bharat’s IPL career
The 32-year-old’s most defining knock of his 10-match IPL career was the unbeaten knock of 78 for the Royal Challengers against the Delhi Capitals in Match 56 of IPL 2021 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With 15 runs needing off the final over and five required off the last ball, Bharat had slammed a six off Avesh Khan’s delivery to lift the Royal Challengers to an unforgettable victory. He was also part of the Delhi Capitals, where he played a couple of games but didn’t get a match for the Gujarat Titans.
The 32-year-old is likely to continue playing domestic and franchise cricket moving forward.
