IND v NZ: First Test: KS Bharat assumes keeping duties in Saha’s absence (Ld).

Kanpur, Nov 27, : KS Bharat is Indias second wicketkeeper-batter in the Test squad against New Zealand.

He has assumed wicket-keeping duties for day three at the Green Park StadiumThe Board of Control for Cricket in India tweeted that Wriddhiman Saha, the first-choice wicketkeeper, couldnt play due to neck stiffness.

He also said that the medical team was closely monitoring his progress "Wriddhiman has stiffness in his neck.The BCCI medical team is treating him.They are also monitoring his progress.KS Bharat will keep wickets in his absence," said a tweet from BCCI Saturday.

BCCI did not provide any information regarding a specific time when Saha would return to wicketkeeping duties during Test.Saha, who was playing in his first Test after the pink-ball Test against Australia last year in Adelaide, made just one out of 12 balls before nicking an offswinger behind to Tom Blundell.

He became one of five pacers Tim Southees scalps.Saha kept wickets for 55 runs on day 2.Shreyas had made 345 runs in India on Friday to make a century.New Zealand was on top of the table with a five-wicket win by Tim Southee, followed by half-centuries from openers Will Young (and Tom Latham) at the end day two.Young and Latham made good starts on day three, starting at 129/0 in 57 runs at stumps.Bharat took a low catch from Ravichandran Ashwins ball to dismiss Young for 89.nr/ak #Test #Bharat #assumes #Sahas #absence #Cricket #BCCI #ICC #IPL.