Former Indian Test wicketkeeper K. S. Bharat has secured a quick return to competitive cricket after being selected for a domestic side in the United Arab Emirates, only days after announcing his retirement from international cricket.
Bharat has been drafted into Team Stallions for the UAE’s ongoing Two-Day Championship, a tournament designed to strengthen players’ skills and tactical understanding for longer-format cricket.
The 31-year-old represented India national cricket team in seven Test matches between 2023 and 2024, primarily filling in during Rishabh Pant’s absence.
Across those appearances, Bharat scored 221 runs at an average of 20.09, with a highest score of 44. He has remained out of India’s national selection plans since February 2024.
While announcing his retirement recently, Bharat described representing India as the greatest achievement of his career, saying that despite the challenges, the journey had been completely worthwhile.
Now, shortly after stepping away from international cricket, he is set to continue playing as a wicketkeeper in the UAE tournament, which started on 19 June and will conclude with the final on 4 July after a total of seven matches.
