The list of talented batters is quite long in India. But with each passing season, the current generation is cropping up with exciting fast bowling names as well. Just when it seems the cupboard is already overflowing with fast bowlers, another one arrives with something different to offer.
This time, it is Gurnoor Brar. A few weeks ago, most fans wouldn’t have even heard his name. He did not play a single game in IPL 2026 despite being part of the Gujarat Titans (GT) squad.
In fact, he has been part of the franchise since 2024 but hasn’t even made his GT debut. Brar wasn’t taking wickets on prime-time television. He wasn’t building a social media following through viral spells.
Yet there he is now, wearing India colours and troubling international batters. In the ongoing ODI series against Afghanistan, Brar has announced himself with back-to-back three-wicket hauls. More importantly, he has shown exactly why India’s selectors were willing to overlook his lack of IPL exposure and back something far more valuable, which is potential.
India A route over IPL or Ranji Trophy
In an era where IPL performances can change your life upside down, Brar’s inclusion has been made solely on the basis of his India A performances. He didn’t even set the Ranji Trophy alight.
For his state team Punjab, Brar has played just 14 matches so far and has 37 wickets. It is because how well he impressed in India A outings that shaped his journey, something that even the 26-year-old himself credits.
“The India A setup was a big stepping stone. Performances in the Ranji Trophy can take you to India A, the Duleep Trophy and the Irani Cup. When I got the India A call-up, I was very happy,” Brar said after India’s victory in Lucknow. Brar treated India A’s chance as a finishing school.
The same methods that earned him success for Punjab translated easily to a higher level. Even for India A, he hasn’t played anything substantial. But in his limited appearances, Brar put his foot on the right areas and impressed big time.
When Australia A toured India last year, Brar took eight wickets in three innings, and outshone the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna with ease. Sharing the dressing room with Siraj, Brar learned a lot. “Siraj bhai was there too, and I spoke to him a lot,” Brar revealed.
Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup via AlamyWhy Agarkar backed Brar despite the criticism
When Ajit Agarkar’s selection committee included Brar in India’s ODI plans, there were inevitable questions. After all, this was a bowler who had spent IPL 2026 carrying drinks for Gujarat Titans.
But selectors weren’t looking at appearances. They were looking at attributes, something that even Ravichandran Ashwin alluded too.
At 6-foot-5, Brar possesses something India don’t have in abundance. His release point is close to seven feet, allowing him to extract steep bounce even from relatively flat surfaces. Add speeds regularly touching 148 km/h, and then batters are dealing with a completely different challenge.
Gurnoor Brar’s speeds vs Afghanistan
Ball No.Speed (KPH)1147.32146.93146.34147.35144.46144.97146.68147.09148.21st ODI in his 1st spellChief selector Agarkar is believed to view him as a long-term option for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, where bounce and pace will be premium assets.
Learning without playing IPL
Ironically, one of the biggest influences on Brar came during a seasons in which he never stepped onto the field. At Gujarat Titans, he spent more than two years observing experienced fast bowlers such as Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Ishant Sharma while working under Ashish Nehra.
“The environment at Gujarat Titans helped me a lot. There are experienced people like Ashish Nehra sir, Siraj bhai, Prasidh bhai and Ishant Sharma. You learn so much from them,” he said.
“I was waiting for my opportunity, but at the same time I was observing what they did well and where they made mistakes. My focus was always on learning as much as possible so that whenever I got my chance, I could perform better.”
That opportunity has finally arrived. And if Brar’s first two ODIs are any indication, India may have uncovered another fast-bowling asset who can be a handful in most of the conditions in India and around the world.
Most Wickets for India After First Two ODI Matches
6 – Roger Binny 6 – Piyush Chawla 6 – Jasprit Bumrah 6 – Prasidh Krishna 6 – Varun Chakravarthy 6 – Gurnoor BrarIndia A but no IPL matches: How Gurnoor Brar soared up the ranks to impress in debut ODI series Inside Sport India.
Hence then, the article about india a but no ipl matches how gurnoor brar soared up the ranks to impress in debut odi series was published today ( ) and is available on Inside sport ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( India A but no IPL matches: How Gurnoor Brar soared up the ranks to impress in debut ODI series )
Also on site :
- World Cup fans boo hydration breaks during England vs Croatia clash
- James Dolan’s wild ride to Knicks championship owner: ‘After 25 freaking years of doing this, I might actually have learned something’
- UFC star Alex Pereira exploring appeal after White House Freedom 250 loss: ‘The bill is going to come’