MS Dhoni's valuable wicket-keeping advice for KS Bharat ahead of WTC Final

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni has offered personal wicket-keeping advice to KS Bharat.

KS Bharat, who is likely to keep wickets in the World Test Championship Final, says that he has got a lot of insights about wicket-keeping from MS Dhoni.

Talking to the ICC, the current Indian keeper explained how Dhoni's insights about keeping in England would come in handy for him if he gets an opportunity at The Oval.

"Recently during the IPL I had a word with Mahendra (Singh Dhoni)", Bharat told the ICC.

"He shared his experiences keeping in England as well as what would work the best for any wicket-keeper. It was a very good conversation and there were a lot of insights from that", he added.

The awareness Dhoni has in keeping is outstanding: KS Bharat

KS Bharat was a part of Gujarat Titans for the recently concluded IPL 2023. However, the 29-year-old keeper didn't get an opportunity to showcase his talent at the biggest T20 league in the world. The 2022 champions ended as the runners-up to Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings. This provided an opportunity for the Indian keeper to talk to MS Dhoni.

“It’s the awareness. The awareness he (Dhoni) has in keeping is outstanding,” Bharat added.

He also spoke about how keeping is a thankless job in Test cricket and how one has to accept the challenges that come with it.

"You need intent and passion to be a keeper because keeping is a thankless job. You keep 90 overs in a Test day and you have to be concentrating ball by ball, so you have to accept the challenges and embrace it and be really passionate about contributing to the team," he said.

KS Bharat is likely to take the gloves on the big game against Australia. The other keeper in the side is Ishan Kishan, who is yet to make his Test debut. However, the young keeper is in good form at the moment and had a decent season with Mumbai Indians. He notched up 454 runs in 16 innings in the recently concluded IPL 2023.

The Indian cricket team, who ended as the runners-up in the last edition of the WTC Final, will look to go one step forward this time around against Australia at The Oval. The WTC Final will begin on June 7th.