"K in KS Bharat stands for Kamran today" - Twitterati tear into Team India wicketkeeper after sloppy work with gloves in 4th IND vs AUS Test
Team India wicketkeeper KS Bharat had a rough first session in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He let in several byes to begin the proceedings, before dropping a regulation catch to give a huge lifeline to the in-form Travis Head.
There was plenty of movement on offer after the hosts were asked to field first by stand-in Australian skipper Steve Smith. Unfortunately for Bharat, most of the movement in the air occurred after the ball had passed the stumps.
The Andhra-born keeper struggled to judge the trajectory of the ball due to the late movement.
Out of the first 15 runs on the Australian scorecard, eight runs were byes as Bharat repeatedly failed to collect the ball behind the stumps. However, the biggest blow in the contest came in the form of a dropped catch.
Umesh Yadav, bowling around the wicket, managed to induce an outside edge off Travis Head's bat. But the regulation chance was spilled by Bharat, who did not get his placement right.
His loss of balance prevented him from gathering the ball even at the second attempt. It was a huge missed opportunity, and potentially one which India might go on to regret later.
The keeper, who made his debut in the first Test of the series in the absence of Rishabh Pant, has been good only in flashes. There was speculation that he might be replaced by Ishan Kishan for the fourth Test, but his presence in the squad was defended by skipper Rohit Sharma during the pre-match press conference.
Twitter was not pleased with the early displays by the wicketkeeper in the must-win encounter. Here are some of the reactions on the social media platform:
K in KS Bharat stands for Kamran today
KS Bharat behind the stumps today https://t.co/bNWECvrIMc
Even part time wk KL Rahul would have caught that. You better leave my beautiful team KS Bharat
He’s only 4 tests into his career, but does anyone know what the point in having KS Bharat in the side is? Apparently he’s a ‘great’ keeper. But I’ve seen no evidence of that. And he certainly isn’t good enough to bat in the top 7. #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS
KS Bharat was given a vote of confidence by Rohit Sharma yesterday. He's not backed it up so far today.
#INDvAUS
KS Bharat’s career https://t.co/0gfspsdUIU
That's criminal, KS Bharat!
#INDvAUS
A wicket keeper is selected on either with Good keeping Skills with Average batting or a Average Keeping with Good Batting Skills. KS Bharat doesn't fit In any of those. And they Made Sanju Samson sit at home.
#INDvAUS #AUSvIND
Unbelievable... lost for words... KS Bharat 🤦🏻♂️🫣
Make it quick, Rishabh.
#INDvAUS #INDvsAUS
Not just the pacers, terrible 30min for KS Bharat as well. Bounce is up-down but that was a blind catch for a keeper. #IndvAus
How's he smiling after putting down a sitter? He's been pathetic behind the stumps has KS Bharat. #INDvAUS
Eight byes, one dropped chance, it hasn't been a great first half hour of the game for KS Bharat. Also haven't seen the ball swing as much passing the batter in India as it has today. #INDvAUS
Captain Rohit Sharma again selected KS Bharat in place of Ishan Kishan in 4th test cricket b/w India and Australia
Meanwhile me right now 💔
#INDvsAUSTest #INDvAUS #BGT23
#RohitSharma𓃵 #TestCricket
#NarendraModiStadium
#AhmedabadTest https://t.co/xr8Bhi1l5V
Australia comfortably placed on top after the first hour of play; Team India struggling with flat surface
The visitors have negotiated the first half of the opening session with utter ease. The left-handed batting pair of Usman Khawaja and Travis Head have kept the scoreboard ticking while the Indian bowlers have struggled to assert themselves on a surface that is far from a rank turner.
Australia have scored 61 runs in 15 overs despite Rohit Sharma introducing spin into play as well. With each passing ball, the dropped catch looks more and more crucial.
Will Team India muster a comeback after a poor start to the first session? Let us know what you think.
Also Read: "It's a ruthless environment, and that's how it should be" - Ashton Agar on his departure from India in between the Test series