Former India opener Gautam Gambhir is sure that the selectors should stick with KS Bharat as India's first-choice wicketkeeper for the World Test Championship (WTC) final and was not pleased with his many critics saying that he should be dropped in place of KL Rahul in the playing XI.
India face Australia in the final of the WTC 2021-23 cycle in June at The Oval, and many were left unimpressed with Bharat's showing, both behind the stumps and in front of it, as a batter. His highest was 44 during the fourth Test in Ahmedabad.
"We cannot make a statement on KS Bharat after four matches. In those four matches, even some of the best batters failed to perform. You cannot question his batting or keeping after four matches. The ex-cricketers who doubt these players, they need to look back at their own careers and see how long they have flopped," Gambhir told Sports Tak in an exclusive interview.
With Rishabh Pant's drastic accident at the end of 2022, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan have taken up the mantle in limited-overs cricket, although the former is more of a part-time glovesman. In Test cricket, KS Bharat has been handed the reins and Gambhir believes that the team should stick with him instead of using a part-time wicketkeeper and regretting the decision.
"Need to have a proper wicketkeeper in Test cricket. He might miss chances but he is also the one who can take unbelievable catches. If KL Rahul is selected for the World Test Championship then it should be purely as a batter. We need to enter the field with our main wicketkeeper."
"Playing in England is not so easy. Because the ball swerves a lot over there. People who are calling to axe Bharat should realise how important that role is," Gambhir added.
Gambhir, a winner with India in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, is currently in Doha having played for the India Maharajas in the Legends League Cricket (LLC) Masters. He is currently the highest run-getter in the competition with 215 runs to his name although the Maharajas failed to qualify for the final which will be played between the Asia Lions and the World Giants on Monday, March 20.
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