KS Bharat moves to Dubai; included in a local team
Having recently announced his retirement from international cricket, KS Bharat is exploring new opportunities in the UAE. Cricketlineguruji can confirm that the former India wicketkeeper-batter has relocated to Dubai and is currently seeking both short-term and long-term prospects in the emirate's cricket ecosystem.
To begin with, Bharat has been included in a local squad for a tournament currently being organised by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB). The competition got underway on Friday at the ICC Academy Oval 1 in Dubai, with Bharat drafted into the Team Stallions squad.
Team Stallions are one of the four sides competing in a seven-match, two-day white-ball tournament. According to the ECB, the competition has been designed to develop the mindset and skills required for longer-format cricket. The other participating teams are Team Falcons, Team Leopards and Team Eagles.
Bharat did not immediately respond to Cricketlineguruji's queries, but it is understood that he could be exploring opportunities in the ILT20, the UAE's franchise league, which is scheduled to be held in November and December. The player auction is expected to take place in October and there is sufficient time for him to register for the auction.
"He has moved to Dubai, like many other international cricketers from different countries, and is exploring both short-term and long-term opportunities here," an Emirates cricket official told Cricketlineguruji.
Bharat, 32, a wicketkeeper-batter from Andhra who played seven Tests for India, made the surprise decision to retire from international and domestic cricket earlier this month. His announcement followed a similar move by Vijay Shankar, who recently accepted an opportunity to play in the Lanka Premier League.
The announcement coincided with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) deciding to formulate a retirement policy for both domestic and international cricketers. The BCCI Apex Council deliberated on the issue at its recent meeting and resolved to frame a policy on the issue.
