India vs New Zealand: KS Bharat keeps wickets on Day 3 as Wriddhiman Saha gets treatment for stiff neck

India vs New Zealand: Uncapped KS Bharat took the gloves in the first session on Day 3 after the BCCI said senior wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha suffered a neck injury scare. Saha’s progress is monitored by the BCCI medical team.

KS Bharat (left) replaced Wriddhiman Saha in the morning session on Day 3 (PTI Photo)

HIGHLIGHTSKS Bharat took the gloves in the first session on Day 3Wriddhiman Saha st out with a stiff neck, monitored by BCCI medical teamIndia look to make a comeback with the ball in extended Day 3

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Saturday said senior wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha had a stiff neck problem and he was being treated by the medical team. Saha was replaced by uncapped KS Bharat in the morning session of Day 3 of the 1st Test between India and New Zealand in Kanpur.

Wirddhiman Saha, 37, did not take the field on Day 3 morning as New Zealand resumed their first innings on 129 for 0. As Ishant Sharma was warming up to open the bowling for India, young KS Bharat walked out with the gloves and did the wicketkeeper’s role on Saturday. Notably, Rishabh Pant is not available as the in-form star has been rested from the 2-Test series.

India vs New Zealand, 1st Test Day 3 Live Updates

“Wriddhiman Saha has stiffness in his neck. The BCCI medical team is treating him and monitoring his progress. KS Bharat will be keeping wickets in his absence,” the BCCI said in a statement.

UPDATE – Wriddhiman Saha has stiffness in his neck. The BCCI medical team is treating him and monitoring his progress. KS Bharat will be keeping wickets in his absence.#INDvNZ @Paytm

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 27, 2021

Meanwhile, play on Day 3 will be extended to accommodate 92 overs after the second day’s play was called earlier than usual due to bad light. The second session will be extended by 5 mins.

KS Bharat is set for a tough challenge as Kanpur pitch has been playing up and down and is expected to deteriorate from Day 3. Notably, Bharat was in the squad and was expected to make his debut in the ongoing series but India preferred the senior wicketkeeper in Saha who did not play in England as Pant was the preferred first-choice gloveman.

The pressure on Saha grows as the senior wicketkeeper failed with the bat, managing just 1 run when India needed their senior batters in the middle-order to step up in the first innings earlier in the Kanpur Test.

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