New Delhi: Former Indian batter VVS Laxman while talking of India’s second wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat, in the ongoing test series against New Zealand, said that he was told by current head coach Rahul Dravid that his “wicketkeeping skills were only next to Wriddhiman Saha”.

Bharat was included in the playing after Wriddhiman Saha had to be taken out due to the stiffness in his neck.

India substitute wicket-keeper batter KS Bharat had revealed that he only had 12 minutes to get ready for the clash against New Zealand on Saturday.

In conversation with Star Sports, Laxman said, “I still remember Rahul Dravid raving about KS Bharat’s wicketkeeping skills. He told me that Bharat has good keeping skills, next only to Wriddhiman Saha in Indian cricket”.

“It’s good to see him repaying the faith the selectors and the head coach. I think he has justified the confidence showed in him by the selectors and the coach”, he added

The wicketkeeper-batter has done remarkably well in domestic cricket, scoring 4283 runs in 78 First-Class games with a highest of 308 and an average of 37.24, including nine tons and 23 half-centuries.

“In these quality-spin conditions, if you don’t have a reliable wicketkeeper then you’re going to miss a lot of chances. What we saw (on Saturday) was great technique and great presence of mind, he didn’t panic at all for someone who has come into this team recently and got to play only because Saha was injured. Fantastic experience for Bharat, this will give him a lot of confidence going forward in his career”, Laxman further added.