The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has said it will congratulate KS Bharat ahead of the second Test match between India and England in Visakhapatnam. KS Bharat has become the second player from Andhra Pradesh to play a Test at the YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
KS Bharat was part of the first Test between India and England in Hyderabad. He scored a decent knock of 41 runs in one innings. In the absence of goalkeepers like RISHABH PANTS and Ishan Kishan in the IND vs ENG test series, Bharat is the team’s first-choice wicketkeeper.
Notably, KS Bharat is the third player from the Andhra team to play Tests for India. Hanuman Vihari and MSK Prasad are the other two players. The Andhra player made his Test debut for India last year during the IND vs AUS Test series in March 2023. He also played in the WTC 2023 final later.
Also Read: Aakash Chopra feels India’s 5-man theory is dubious with Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan playing 11
KS Bharat to be felicitated in Vizag by ACA
Andhra Pradesh Association secretary Gopinath Reddy told Cricketnext.com that the board has planned a felicitation ceremony for KS Bharat at the Vizag stadium ahead of the IND vs ENG second Test. He reported that the ceremony would take place on Thursday, February 1.
“Yes, we have planned a felicitation ceremony for KS Bharat. It will happen here, in the stadium itself, on the Upper Floor of the South Stand. We requested a time for February 2, but the Indian team management has given time for February 1, so we will do the felicitation on Thursday,” he said.
The ACA Secretary also informed that the Cricket Board has invited BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, President. Roger Binnyand other officials at the Vizag Stadium to inaugurate a covered net.
“We have invited BCCI Secretary Mr. Jay Shah ji and President and Vice President when we met in Hyderabad recently. We request your presence here in Vizag and also hope to lay the foundation stone for an inner network here. Although we have not received confirmation, we are hopeful that he will come here,” he added.
Also Read: James Anderson returns for 2nd Test against India as England announce XI
India lost the first Test by 28 runs
Meanwhile, the India vs England second Test begins on Friday, February 2, in Vizag. Earlier, Team India lost the opening Test by 28 runs. India posted 436 in the first innings and surpassed England’s total of 246. However, Ben Stokes & Co. bounced back in the second innings with 420 runs on the board.
Ollie Papa smashed a 196-run knock to demolish the Indian bowlers. The hosts failed to chase a target of 231 runs in the final innings with England spinner Tom Hartley going for a 7-wicket haul. India were bowled out for 202 after a lower-order comeback.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma’s old friend praises Ben Stokes, shows mirror to Indian captain
KS Bharat scored 28 runs off 59 balls in the second innings and showed brilliant efforts with the bat. England leads the five-match series 1-0. The series will observe five games between both teams.