IND vs NZ: Here's why KS Bharat is keeping wickets despite not being in the XI in Kanpur Test

The first Test between India and New Zealand is witnessing intriguing action at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. After the hosts posted 345 runs in the first innings, the Kiwis responded well with their openers Tom Latham and Will Young putting up an unbeaten 129-run partnership by the end of Day 2. The third day was going to be crucial for India to make sure they don’t concede a lead in the first innings.

However, before the start of play, they were dealt with a blow as wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha didn’t take the field. KS Bharat took over the wicketkeeping duties to start with and the BCCI soon gave an update on Saha’s fitness.

The board, on its Twitter handle, confirmed that Saha is struggling with a stiffness in his neck and the medical team is treating and monitoring his progress at the moment. There is no idea right now if Saha will be taking the field again in the Test and if he doesn’t, India will not only miss his expertise behind the stumps, they will be devoid of one batter as well.

UPDATE – Wriddhiman Saha has stiffness in his neck. The BCCI medical team is treating him and monitoring his progress. KS Bharat will be keeping wickets in his absence.#INDvNZ @Paytm

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 27, 2021

KS Bharat makes an impact straightaway

For now though KS Bharat has done well not letting the team missing Saha’s keeping. In the first hour of play itself, he displayed great skills pouching a low catch to dismiss Will Young off Ravi Ashwin. It was a flatter delivery outside the off-stump for which the batter stayed back to defend. The ball stayed low and took the outside edge of the bat.

Bharat reacted superbly to take a very good catch and along with Ashwin, insisted Ajinkya Rahane to take the review and overturn the on-field decision. As far as the game is concerned, it is nicely poised at the moment and India will need to pick wickets at the regular intervals to make sure they don’t concede the lead.

With the pitch slowly deteriorating, it will only get tougher to bat as the game progresses and any lead in the first innings will prove game-changing.