Indian wicket-keeper batter KS Bharat roared to form, making a statement for playing XI selection ahead of the England Test series with a century. Playing against England Lions in a practice Test, Bharat scored 116 off 165 balls as India A looked to chase down the target of 490 runs. While his ton couldn't take the team all the way, with India A remaining 64 runs short of the target, Bharat did make a huge statement with the bat. After reaching the triple-digit score, Bharat also produced a brilliant celebration, dedicating the ton to Lord Ram.
Video of KS Bharat's celebration after scoring a century:
KS Bharat dedicated his hundred against England Lions to "Lord Ram".
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 21, 2024
- Bharat did bow & arrow celebration...!!!!pic.twitter.com/B13stcQBu7
With India looking to give relief to KL Rahul from keeping wickets, Bharat's century would come as a big relief for his greatest backer, head coach Rahul Dravid, who has been bullish about playing the Andhra player in Tests despite his below-par batting record.
Manav Suthar, who came in as night-watchman on the third evening, remained unbeaten on a dogged 89 off 254 balls with 16 boundaries -- 10 of which came off left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson (3/182).
While B Sai Sudharsan (97 off 208 balls) missed out on a hundred, the Bharath-Suthar duo took full advantage of flat deck adding 207 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket stand in 54.5 overs. The only wicket to fall on the day was southpaw Sudharsan.
On the final day, England Lions skipper Josh Bohanon mainly bowled with his spinners -- Parkinson and off-break bowler Jack Carson (0/74 in 21 overs).
Bharat was solid on both flanks as nine off his 15 fours came off the two spinners and were mostly hit on the on-side. He got an able ally in Suthar, who applied himself well and by tea time, even the England Lions knew that they have lost an opportunity to win a first-class game on an Indian track.
With PTI inputs
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