Indian wicketkeeper KS Bharat announces retirement

MUMABI: Indian cricket team wicketkeeper-batsman KS Bharat has announced his retirement from international cricket.

32-year-old KS Bharat announced his retirement from international cricket in a statement released on social media, saying that representing India has been the greatest honour of his life and he feels proud of every moment of his career.

KS Bharat said in his message that “With feelings of pride and gratitude, I announce my retirement from international cricket. Playing for my country was the greatest honour of my life.”

Bharat played a total of 7 Test matches for India, in which he scored 221 runs while also taking 19 wickets as a wicketkeeper. His best individual score was 44 runs, which he made in the Ahmedabad Test against Australia in 2023.

Thanks to this performance, he was included in the Indian team for the World Test Championship final against Australia in 2023. In this match played at the Oval Ground in London, he scored 23 runs in the second innings while also taking 5 wickets behind the wickets.

Bharat’s last Test match was played against England in Visakhapatnam in February 2024, after which he could not retain a place in the national team.

In his farewell message, KS Bharat gave special thanks to Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid.

He said that Virat Kohli gave him the opportunity to showcase his talents in the Indian Premier League, which gave him recognition. He also thanked Rohit Sharma and said that making his Test debut under his leadership is a moment that cannot be described in words.

KS Bharat also paid tribute to Rahul Dravid’s services, saying that his guidance in the journey from India A to the national team was unforgettable and under his patronage, he was able to fulfill his dream of becoming an Indian Test cricketer.

After Bharat’s retirement, Indian cricket fans and former cricketers are expressing their best wishes for him. Thanks to this performance, he was included in the Indian team for the World Test Championship final against Australia in 2023. In this match played at the Oval Ground in London, he scored 23 runs in the second innings while also taking 5 wickets behind the wickets.