As Australian batters continue to struggle on Indian pitches in ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India's wicketkeeper-batter Srikar Bharat feels that ‘wickets are not unplayable’. But, in order to survive batters have to trust in their defense.
Bharat travelled as the back-up wicketkeeper after Wriddhiman Saha was communicated that the team management was looking for options beyond him for the role. Bharat made his debut in Border-Gavaskar Trophy after Rishabh Pant got injured in a horrific car accident on December 30 morning.
After two single-digit scores, Bharat showed glimpses of what he can do with an unbeaten 23-run knock in Delhi Test while chasing 115.
"I enjoyed whatever I did in Delhi. My job was to keep it simple. You just need to back your defence, the wickets are not unplayable. You apply yourself, back your defence and there is definitely scope for batters to score," said Bharat.
"Rohit bhai told me that I will bat at no 6 in Delhi second innings. The moment Australia were all out, I was ready to bat and contribute. The intent is never a problem, shot selection is critical on these tracks. Runs will come here if shot selection is right.
"You can't just defend, you have to look for scoring opportunities, that is what I tried to do."
It is never easy to keep on turning tracks, especially against the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. But Bharat feels that the domestic cricket grind has helped him.
"They are top-class spinners. It is not easy keeping but keeping in domestic cricket all these years has helped," he said.
Bharat was expected to warm the benches before Pant was ruled out of cricketing action for a year. The Visakhapatnam-born cricketer is just happy to get a chance to showcase his talent.
"As a player you always expect the opportunity to come to your door. For me I have always prepared myself for any opportunity.
"I got to play in Nagpur after my time with India A and years of domestic cricket. You want to play for the country, it is the biggest dream. When the opportunity comes I will take it," added Bharat.
