Former India wicketkeeper KS Bharat has been picked to represent the Stallions in a domestic two-day competition in the UAE, days after announcing his international retirement.
KS Bharat represented India in seven Tests between 2023 and 2024, majorly in Rishabh Pant’s absence. Pant was sidelined from the sport after a devastating car accident in December 2022, which paved the way for Bharat’s entry into the side. Bharat made 221 runs at 20.09 with a high score of 44, but has not played for the national side since February 2024.
He announced his international retirement earlier this month, stating that playing for the country had been the “greatest honour” of his life. “This journey of mine has demanded great resilience and strength but the honour to represent India in Tests (was) worth every moment,” he continued.
KS Bharat named in UAE domestic team for two-day competition
A few days after he bid adieu to international cricket, he was named in Team Stallions’ squad for the Two-Day Championship, comprising UAE’s elite cricketers. The four-team event aims to develop the mindset and skills required for the longer format, with the tournament likened to a red-ball game.
Each match will be played over two days, with 80 overs bowled per day, and points will be awarded for outright wins, 10-wicket victories, or innings wins. The tournament will start on June 19, with a total of seven matches being played, including the final on July 4.
KS Bharat has been named the wicketkeeper in his side.
Also Read: Discarded India Test wicketkeeper scores hundred on opening day of Ranji Trophy
ECB Two-Day Championship 2026 squads
Team Eagles: Aftab Alam, Alishan Sharafu, Awais Ahmed, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Mohsin, Muhammad Shahdad, Muhammad Waseem, Saad Ali Rafi, Simranjeet Singh, Tanish Suri (wicketkeeper) and Zahid Ali.
Team Falcons: Adeeb Usmani (wicketkeeper), Aftab Javed, Awaish Shah, Farhan Khan, Haider Razzaq, Harpreet Bhatia, Madhav Manoj, Muhammad Farazuddin, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawad, Nilansh Keswani, Nowadiya Wijayakumara and Yayin Rai.
Team Leopards: Aayan Afzal Khan, Albin Elias, Akshdeep Nath, Aryansh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Ayaan Misbah, Matiullah Khan, Muhammad Rohid, Muhammad Zuhaib, Nabeel Aziz, Salman Salim, Sohaib Khan, Vishnu Sukumaran and Zeeshan Naseer.
Team Stallions: Ajay Kumar, Ali Naseer, Ansh Tandon, Harish Seth, Ibrar Ahmed, Jash Gayanani, K.S. Bharat (wicketkeeper), Rahul Chopra, Samarth Seth, Syed Muhammad Haider Shah, Uddish Suri, Vaibhav Govekar and Yug Sharma.
ECB Two-Day Championship 2026 schedule
19-20 June, Team Falcons vs Team Leopards – ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai
21-22 June, Team Stallions vs Team Eagles – ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai
24-25 June, Team Falcons vs Team Stallions – ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai
26-27 June, Team Leopards vs Team Eagles – ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai
29-30 June, Team Falcons vs Team Eagles – ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai
1-2 July, Team Leopards vs Team Stallions – ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai
4-5 July, Final – ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai
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