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When the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel announced the teams across all formats, the selection of Gurnoor Brar over Auqib Nabi and Bhuvneshwar Kumar seems controversial. As the India vs Afghanistan bilateral series progresses, the Punjab pacer is proving many critics wrong, who raised eyebrows when the selectors announced his name in the squad against Afghanistan.
Like in the first ODI in Dharamsala, Gurnoor Brar was equally effective in the second match of the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Brar, who took 3 wickets last night, credited the Indian cricket system for honing his bowling skills.
6 wickets in 2 matches for a Punjab born player
In Lucknow, the six-feet-five-inch fast bowler took the wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Saleem Safi, helping India seal the series with a 170-run win.
In a short time, the 26-year-old has developed a reputation for hitting the deck at a relentless pace. However, Gurnoor Brar chose to remain humble and close to the ground to keep his focus on his preparations.
Gurnoor Brar said in the post-match press conference, “I don’t think much about reputation or expectations. I believe in myself and the work I am doing. Whether it is bowling a hard length or a full length, I focus on what I need to do rather than the result.”Ra ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow.
Gurnoor Brar pledged to perform even better in future
In the two ODIs, the seamer took 6 wickets, three wickets each, which is very good for a bowler who is new to the team. Brar himself admits that he could have done even better and aims to take himself to the next level through the process he follows every day.
“Preparation is what matters most, and can I repeat my processes consistently every day. Even in these two matches, I feel I can do better. I know I can bowl better than I did today and hopefully I will improve in the coming matches,” he said.
Brar says the India call-up was the major turning point of his career. According to him, through Ranji Trophy, a player can play in other domestic tournaments, but by playing for the India A team, one can get closer to making their place in the dressing room of the Indian cricket team.
“The India A setup was a big step. Performance in Ranji Trophy can take you to India A, Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup. When I got the India A call-up, I was very happy. The same things that worked for me in domestic cricket, bowling fast, tough lengths and swinging the ball, I tried to replicate at the India A level as well,” Gurnoor Brar told reporters.
Siraj Bhai was also there: Brar
The fast bowler credited Mohammed Siraj for helping him throughout the journey. He also mentioned Ishaan Sharma, Prasidh Krishna and Ashish Nehra.
He said, “Siraj bhai was also there and I talked to him a lot. The environment at Gujarat Titans helped me a lot. There are experienced people there like Ashish Nehra sir, Siraj bhai, Prasidh bhai and Ishant Sharma. You learn a lot from them.”