Sunil Gavaskar praises selectors for showing faith in Gurnoor Brar after his success against Afghanistan

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The Indian cricket landscape has always thrived on raw talent, but the transition from domestic circuits to the international arena often requires more than just impressive scorecards. India’s ongoing One Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan has provided the perfect stage for such a transition. Amidst the tactical battles, the spotlight has firmly found 26-year-old fast bowler Gurnoor Brar, who has turned his sudden maiden call-up into a dream debut. By picking up six wickets across the first two matches, Brar has not only validated his position in the squad but also sparked a wider conversation on the art of talent scouting.

Legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has highly praised the national selection committee for their foresight in picking Gurnoor Brar. Speaking on JioStar, Gavaskar pointed out that Brar’s traditional numbers, whether in List A cricket or brief stints for India A, did not scream automatic selection. Instead, the Ajit Agarkar-led committee looked beyond the raw data to identify specific physical traits and intangibles necessary for success at the highest level.

This leap of faith paid immediate dividends. Debuting in the first ODI at Dharamshala, the right-arm speedster rattled Afghanistan with a three-wicket burst. He backed it up in the second ODI in Lucknow, returning figures of 3 for 60 on a surface where he had to work hard for rewards. The highlight of his Lucknow spell was the crucial dismissal of dangerous opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, undone by a sharply directed short ball.

“His run-up is so good, his rhythm is so good, he was hitting the deck and getting the ball to climb. The wicket he got of Gurbaz was particularly impressive because of the way that bouncer followed him. It’s very accurate. It comes right at you, exactly where the batter does not want it,” Gavaskar observed.

Gavaskar emphasized that modern selection often relies too heavily on spreadsheets, making Agarkar’s approach refreshing.

“The selection committee deserves all the compliments. If you look at his stats, or his India A performances, they’re okay, but not to the extent where you would say he deserved an India cap. However, the selection committee saw something in him, and that’s why they picked him, he added.

Gavaskar also stated that the team management’s immediate backing has given the young pacer the confidence to express his natural pace and bounce, attributes that could make him a major asset for the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.

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Beyond the bowling department, India’s leadership dynamics have also flourished in this series. Shubman Gill has been in sensational touch, anchoring both matches with masterclass knocks. After guiding India home in a rain-truncated chase at Dharamshala with an unbeaten 84, Gill smashed a magnificent 154 in Lucknow, his second-highest score in the format, earning consecutive Player of the Match awards.

According to Gavaskar, this blistering form with the bat is directly feeding into Gill’s tactical clarity as a captain. Leadership in cricket often relies on split-second intuition, but a lack of personal runs can severely compromise a captain’s decisiveness.

“When you’re not getting runs, you’re not confident about making those marginal moves that come from your gut feel,” Gavaskar explained. He noted that an out-of-form captain often hesitates to extend a bowler’s spell or alter field placements due to the fear of failure and subsequent public scrutiny.

“But since Gill is performing brilliantly as a player, his tactical instinct remains sharp, allowing him to lead the Men in Blue with absolute authority,” he concluded.

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