Hard work you put in the domestic level helps doing well in the IPL: Srikar Bharat

After losing two games on the bounce in the UAE leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bounced back in style to win two games against Mumbai Indians (MI) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). The win against RR would have pleased the management more as they bounced back from a rampaging opening stand between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Evin Lewis to restrict RR to just 149. Later, the RCB batters lead by Glenn Maxwell finished off the chase with three overs to spare.

Although Glenn Maxwell hogged the limelight, a quiet youngster named Srikar Bharat too contributed to the team’s cause by scoring a well-composed 44. Bharat has been with the team since the India leg of the IPL but has finally got his chances during the UAE leg. The wicketkeeper-batter has also relieved AB de Villiers of some pressure duties and has swiftly slotted in the team at the number three position.

Bharat’s good performance against RCB should not come as a surprise to people who have followed him closely in the domestic circuit. The wicketkeeper-batter has been one of the consistent performers for state team Andhra in the domestic circuit. In the 2014-15 domestic season, he scored 758 runs at a healthy average of 54.14. That terrific run-scoring also propelled him to have an IPL contract for Delhi Capitals (Daredevils) back then in 2015.

During the post-match press conference, Bharat spoke to the media about how good performance in the domestic circuit has made him a better player. “Definitely helps whatever work you do back end it really counts on a bigger platform like IPL. But not only T20 you tend to explore a lot of cricket with the domestic and with the RCB in the nets in the franchise cricket, but it all also helps,” Bharat said.

“It’s a good feeling to win this game and contributing going back in the center. You would prepare to practice in these kinds of situations, where you take on the bowlers and the fielders and you pick those gaps.”

Learned a lot of good things from Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers: Srikar Bharat

Bharat formed a partnership worth 69 runs with Maxwell and laid the foundation of RCB’s victory. The wicketkeeper-batter spoke about his innings along with Maxwell. “Me and Maxwell were communicating in the center and we just did what the team required of that particular time. Maxwell is also a great individual who works really hard. We had some cricketing fun winning and playing games. Definitely, it helps each and every individual will add to you in helping you learn. It might just not be your captain but other players too, who might help you to understand the game better,” Bharat added.

Bharat concluded by saying that he learned a lot from the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers during his time with RCB. “You learn a lot from Kohli, AB de Villiers, you know how to handle yourself in and around cricket.”

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