India’s wicket-keeper bat KS Bharat feels runs on difficult Indian pitches will come if the shot selection is right. Bharat, who is playing his debut series, believes trusting your defence is key to success on pitches that are conducive to spin bowling.

Bharat has impressed behind the stumps with the gloves and he has done a fine job while keeping to the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.

Bharat also scored a crucial cameo of 23 runs from 22 balls in the second innings of the Delhi Test, which India won by six wickets and that knock must have given him a lot of confidence.

“Rohit bhai told me that I will bat at no 6 in Delhi 2nd innings. The moment Australia was all out, I was ready to bat and contribute. The intent is never a problem, shot selection is critical on these tracks. Runs will come here if shot selection is right. Trusting defence is key,” said Bharat.

Meanwhile, Bharat feels it will be team management’s call if they want to replace KL Rahul with Shubman Gill.

“It’s the team management’s call, not mine,” Bharat added.

Bharat added that the pitches in India are not unplayable and one has to back his defence in order to savor success.

“I enjoyed playing whatever I did in Delhi. It was about keeping it simple and backing your defence. Wickets are not unplayable, just have to back your defence,” said Bharat.

India has ticked the right boxes in the series as they have come up with a collective show. The bowling unit has done an amazing job but India will want their middle order to fire at all cylinders in the remaining two Test matches.

All-rounders Ashwin, Jadeja and Patel have delivered with both bat and ball for the team. The third Test match will be played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore from Wednesday.