NEW DELHI: Former India wicket-keeper
Parthiv Patel
understands the pressure on
KS Bharat
to perform with the bat. However, considering Bharat's exceptional wicket-keeping skills displayed in the first two Tests against England, Parthiv wouldn't mind giving him another opportunity.
Bharat, having played seven Tests, is yet to score a half-century, and the potential inclusion of
Dhruv Jurel
, known for his batting abilities, adds competition to the mix.
Parthiv, who played 25 Tests for India, acknowledged the instability in the
Indian Test set-up
concerning wicket-keeping and highlighted the balance between batting and 'keeping skills as a crucial factor in making the selection decisions.
"Bharat has definitely kept brilliantly in this series so far and in the Australia series as well," JioCinema expert Patel said in a virtual interaction.
"As far as runs are concerned, yes you want runs from him. There is no doubt over it,' said the 38-year-old, reminding that it is no longer a uni-dimensional assignment. "
"You are expected to score runs and that is something which hasn't come in big numbers."
Parthiv however asserted that Bharat and Jurel are the best options that they have at the moment.
"It's very difficult what you're looking at. You want runs from him without a doubt. It's up to team management. Yes there is instability at this point of time, you cannot deny that. But you got to take chances with whoever you have."
"I think they are the two best possible wicket-keepers for India to play Test at this point of time."
Patel indicated that Bharat has the ability to score runs, citing his performances in the opening Test in Hyderabad. In that match, while chasing a target of 231, India were eventually all out for 202 in the second innings. Bharat, along with
Ravichandran Ashwin
, provided a glimmer of hope with their fifty-plus run eighth-wicket partnership.
Bharat's contribution of 41 and 28 in challenging circumstances showcased his resilience and batting capabilities.
Parthiv's acknowledgment of Bharat's batting efforts suggests that, despite the pressure on him to deliver with the bat, Bharat has shown promise and deserves consideration for his contributions under challenging conditions.
"But if you look at his 41 in the Hyderabad Test match in the first innings, and in the second innings when everyone got out, he scored along with Ashwin just gave us a glimpse of hope.
"In Vizag, he (Bharat) failed without a doubt. So it's a very tricky one whether India stick to Bharat for one more Test or just try out a youngster (Jurel) who's done well at domestic level..."
On the curious case of Ishan Kishan who has opted out citing "travel fatigue", Parthiv said: "It's entirely up to a player. No one knows what's happening sitting here.
"I would rather stay away from speculating on personal matters. It's entirely their (BCCI and Kishan's) call."
The team batting lineup is thin on experience without the likes of KL Rahul and Virat Kohli but Parthiv feels it would give youngsters a chance to prove their mettle at the biggest stage.
"When you have so many youngsters, you get a different kind of energy. Players should take this positively and competition will grow."
On the team combination, Parthiv reckoned that
Sarfaraz
Khan will get the nod ahead of Devdutt Padikkal for the vacant Shreyas Iyer's position.
"I think it's a bit difficult for Padikkal. Sarfaraz is still sitting out. I think Sarfaraz may get a look in before him."
(With PTI inputs)
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