It’s a debut to remember. Not too long ago, Gurnoor Brar’s selection was questioned. Most hadn’t seen the tall fast bowler, standing at 6’5, but had made up their mind that something nefarious was at play since Gurnoor is India’s ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill’s teammate in domestic cricket for Punjab and the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Gujarat Titans.
It’s not like Gill doesn’t rate Gurnoor highly, but the fast bowler has been under consideration for some time. He featured for India ‘A’ last year. Gurnoor’s a fast bowler who consistently bowls over 140 and hits the deck hard. A rare commodity by Indian standards. It’s natural that the selectors were keen.
But, to the general watcher, someone with just 36 matches under their belt isn’t enough. They want someone from domestic cricket, like Auqib Nabi, without realising that the selectors and the team management are looking for something else altogether. Gurnoor’s call-up for the one-off Afghanistan Test wasn’t handled well.
Gurnoor Brar’s dream India debut
10 days later, Gurnoor claimed his maiden international wicket on his ODI debut. It took him just 5 balls. He nearly had another one, on the last ball of his maiden over. Height, speed, bounce, and movement. Gurnoor showed it all. In a couple of minutes, it was clear why the selectors and management wanted him.
Initially, Gurnoor didn’t find his line. He bowled an outside off and on the leg stump in his first four balls, one of which was also a full toss. But he got things right on the penultimate ball of his first over. A good length ball outside off that moved late. Ibrahim Zadran was done for, especially when one accounts for the extra bounce.
Sediqullah Atal was pinned in front on the next ball, but the delivery had pitched outside off. In his next two overs, Gurnoor bowled some great deliveries and moved the ball away from the right-handers but lacked control. However, he showed shades of excellence and the talent he possesses.
Cricket
With Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson already out, Joe Root & Steve Smith there to win Fab Four Race
