Former India Wicketkeeper KS Bharat Sets Sights on Trophies with UAE After International Switch

KS Bharat has revealed his ambition to win trophies with the UAE after officially switching his cricketing allegiance from India. The wicketkeeper-batter, who represented India in seven Test matches—including the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at the Oval—announced his retirement from international cricket in June and subsequently relocated to Dubai.

While initial uncertainty surrounded his international future, Bharat was recently listed among 102 players for the International League T20 Development Tournament. Participation in this pathway event requires players to state their intention to represent the UAE in international cricket. Bharat, who turns 33 on October 3, has confirmed his desire to play for the UAE and make a significant impact on the sport in the region.

"A hundred per cent, that's the plan," Bharat told The National. "And I want to do well; not just play, we want to win tournaments. That is the main goal."

Under ICC regulations, players can switch national teams once in a career, subject to a three-year cooling-off period from their last appearance for their former country. Bharat's final match for India was a Test against England that concluded on February 5, 2024. However, recent precedent allowing players to receive UAE citizenship for cricket could potentially make him eligible by February 6, 2027, following in the footsteps of other Indian state cricketers such as Harpreet Bhatia and Akshdeep Nath.

Bharat noted that the difficult decision to leave India was primarily driven by his desire to excel in white-ball cricket and participate in global leagues, opportunities that are restricted for players eligible for Indian selection. Expressing gratitude to UAE coach Lalchand Rajput and Emirates Cricket Board general secretary Mubashshir Usmani, Bharat is eager to embrace this new chapter and mentor young aspiring players in the Emirates.