While India captain Rohit Sharma might have lost the toss in the first of the four-match series at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, he confirmed the team handing a Test debut to two cricketers in the opening Test match. While KS Bharat got a not ahead of Ishan Kishan, as expected, it was Suryakumar Yadav who was given a Test cap with Shubman Gill having to sit out.
After seeing Bharat play in his first Test match, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy took to Twitter to congratulate the wicketkeeper-batter.
"Our very own @KonaBharat is debuting today with the Indian Cricket Team in the ongoing test against Australia. My congratulations and best wishes to him. The Telugu flag continues to fly high!," the Andhra CM tweeted.
In reply, Bharat said that he was "humbled" by the praise from the Chief Minister.
"Very humbled and blessed to receive your appreciation and blessings Sir. Will always work hard and make our India and Telugu Flag fly higher," Bharat tweeted in response.
Meanwhile, former Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu also congratulated Bharat on making his Test debut.
"Happy to learn that our very own @KonaBharat will make his debut in the first cricket test against Australia today. I wish him all the very best and look forward to seeing him make our country proud," he wrote.
While Bharat is yet to get a chance with the bat in this Test match, he was impressive behind the stumps on a wicket that was offering a lot of assistance to the spinners. In particular, his glovework to dislodge the bails in time to dismiss Australia's highest run-getter in the 1st innings Marnus Labuschagne off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja was impressive.
He will have a significant role to play with the bat as India look to take a 1-0 lead after having dismissed Australia for 177.