Wicketkeeper KS Bharat has said that the trust bestowed on him by captain Rohit Sharma has helped him in being successful with DRS calls during the ongoing series against Australia.

Bharat made his debut against Australia in Nagpur earlier this month after regular keeper Rishabh Pant was ruled out following a car accident.

He stated that Rohit asked him to back his instincts and express his thoughts clearly, without worrying about the result.

“Rohitbhai and myself had a word,” said Bharat. “He said, ‘you are the best judge, as you stay close to the batsman. So whatever you feel, just give your opinion. You, me and the bowler...the three of us will discuss, and we will take a call’.

“He said, ‘don’t worry about whether it is going to go our way or their way. Just back your instincts... whatever you feel, just put it across’. So the message is clear.”
Bharat took four catches besides a stumping in the first two Tests. He was promoted to No.6 in India’s 115-run chase in Delhi, and the right-hander responded with a counter-attacking 23 not out off 22 balls, including three fours and a six.

Virat Kohli at practice in Indore on Monday. India play Australia in the third Test from Wednesday. PTI photo

“Rohitbhai told me that I will go in at No. 6 (in the second innings at the Kotla),” said Bharat. “I was ready the minute they (Australia) got all out. As a player, when you sit out, you just can’t relax saying, ‘it’s not going to be my day’. You always have to be in the game. Lucky enough that I got an opportunity to go in and bat.

“The intent is never a problem, shot selection is critical on these tracks. Runs will come if shot selection is right. Trusting your defence is the key.”

Bharat faces a tough job of keeping against the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on bouncy and turning wickets.

“They are top-class spinners. It is not easy, but keeping in domestic cricket all these years has helped,” he said. Bharat though will need to be careful against both, having given away byes in the first two Tests.

“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 thought I will take it,” he said. He also made it clear that playing for India was his biggest motivation.

Written with PTI inputs