India wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat has announced his retirement from international cricket, a little over three years after making his Test debut. Between the years 2023 and 2024, the 32-year-old Indian batsman played in seven Test matches and scored 221 runs, an average of 20.09, with a highest score of 44. He was India's wicketkeeper in the World Test Championship final against Australia in 2023, filling in for the injured Rishabh Pant. Bharat made his debut against Australia during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy after spending several years on the fringes of the national side as a reserve wicketkeeper. In February 2024, he made his final appearance against England in Visakhapatnam. In the third Test of the series, which was held in Rajkot, he was replaced by debutant Dhruv Jurel. "I am announcing my retirement from international cricket with pride and gratitude. To play for my country has been the greatest honour of my life," Bharat wrote in a social media post on Thursday. "The honor of representing India in Tests was worth every moment, even though this journey of mine required great resilience and strength. Over the course of two decades, we all, a family of four, fulfilled the same dream. A big heart to my sister, mom and dad for creating the environment and support system they have been. I am the result of their love, discipline, and dedication," he continued. Bharat, who was born in Visakhapatnam, had a distinguished domestic career with Andhra before being called up to play for India. He is the first wicketkeeper in the history of the Ranji Trophy to score a triple century. Bharat expressed his gratitude to Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rahul Dravid for their significant contributions to his cricket career in his retirement post. He wrote, "A big thank you to my IPL debut captain Virat Kohli for giving me the opportunity to show my skill and become recognized." "A heartfelt thank you to my Indian captain Rohit Sharma, under whose direction I made my Test debut, which is priceless and beyond explanation. "Sir, my Indian coach Rahul Dravid's guidance from India A to the Indian team will always be remembered. With your support, I could become an Indian Test cricketer," he concluded.