In a heartwarming gesture, Indian wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat recently presented his Test jersey to the iconic megastar Chiranjeevi. The cricketing sensation showcased his admiration for the legendary actor in a viral picture circulating across the internet.
Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, Bharat has carved a niche for himself in the Indian Test squad over the past few months. He had featured in the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia and represented the nation in the ICC World Test Championship final.
Recently, he was a key contributor during the first Test of the ongoing series against England in Hyderabad. As the cricketing action now shifts to Vizag for the second Test, Bharat took a moment to meet Chiranjeevi and present him with his cherished Test jersey.
A luminary in the Indian film industry, megastar Chiranjeevi holds an enduring legacy as one of the most successful and influential actors in the history of Indian cinema. The shared image of Bharat and Chiranjeevi highlights the camaraderie between the two.
Bharat met Chiranjeevi in Hyderabad after the first Test and extended congratulations to him for receiving the Padma Vibhushan Award. It shows Bharat’s deep appreciation for the actor’s work. It is similar to the sentiments of thousands of fans who admire Chiranjeevi’s contribution to the world of entertainment.
While Bharat’s cricketing journey is still in its early stages, his recent commendable performances at the domestic level have positioned him as a promising talent in the Test arena. The young wicketkeeper-batter had a pivotal opportunity to emerge as a hero for Team India during the first Test in Hyderabad.
KS Bharat scored crucial runs with the bat
Facing a challenging target of 231 runs to defeat England, India found themselves in a precarious position at 119/6 in the 39th over, beckoning Bharat to the crease.
Teaming up with Ravichandran Ashwin, Bharat contributed significantly by adding 57 runs for the seventh wicket. They played grittily for nearly 20 overs. But then, debutant Tom Hartley cut short his promising innings by dismissing him, as he scored a commendable 28 runs off 59 balls.
A nice, loopy delivery came towards the middle and off. Bharat moved forward to defend it, but the ball turned a bit, slipping past the edge of his bat and striking the off stump. Bharat couldn’t believe it, he stayed in his position, staring at the pitch, then walked off in pain to the dressing room.
Hartley in his debut Test went on to dismiss R Ashwin and Mohammed Siraj to complete his seven-wicket haul. R Ashwin threw up his wicket with a careless slog just to be stumped. Despite Bharat’s valiant efforts, India ultimately fell short by 28 runs in the match. The outcome might have been different had Bharat stayed at the crease for a few more overs.
Bharat had been in good form in the lead-up to the Test series. He scored a fighting century in the game against the England Lions. His unbeaten 116 took India A to safety in the first practice Test in Ahmedabad.
India, despite securing a 190-run lead in the first innings, allowed England to make a comeback in their home conditions. This is a significant source of embarrassment for a team that is considered nearly unbeatable on their home turf.