On the drive from the city to the ACA-VDCA Stadium, posters with images of KS Bharat are a common feature. ‘Pride of Vizag’ is one of the legends accompanying the bold photo of his face as the City of Destiny braces up to welcome the local lad, who will be playing his first international game in the place of his birth. 

Destiny’s hand in Bharat’s comeback can’t be underplayed. Out of contention a couple of months back, he earned a recall following Ishan Kishan’s withdrawal in South Africa. Now, Bharat is in a position to make a meaningful contribution in front of family and friends.