Who is Gurnoor Brar? Meet the domestic pace sensation picked for India’s squad for Afghanistan series

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) surprised cricket fans and pundits alike by announcing an experimental, youthful squad for the upcoming bilateral series against Afghanistan. In the wake of resting premier speedster Jasprit Bumrah and a sudden injury setback to Harshit Rana, the national selection committee turned its gaze toward the untapped wealth of India’s domestic circuit. Among the fresh faces rewarded with a dream maiden national call-up, none has sparked more intrigue than Punjab’s towering fast-bowling sensation, Gurnoor Brar.

Standing tall at an imposing 6 feet 5 inches, the 25-year-old right-arm quick has been drafted into both the Test and One Day International (ODI) squads for the series beginning June 6. With chief selector Ajit Agarkar explicitly noting that the youngster is firmly on the radar for the upcoming South Africa ODI World Cup, the spotlight has swung heavily onto this unheralded domestic powerhouse.

Gurnoor is a lethal right-arm fast bowler and handy left-handed batsman representing Punjab in domestic tournaments. He is widely considered one of India’s most physically gift-wrapped fast-bowling prospects, combining terrifying, steep bounce with raw, skiddy pace. Unlike traditional subcontinental fast bowlers who rely solely on skidding the ball along the surface, Gurnoor’s height lets him hit what modern coaches call the hard length, driving the ball sharply into the pitch and extracting uncomfortable bounce out of docile, flat wickets.

Born on May 25, 2000, in Muktsar, Punjab, Gurnoor’s journey into professional cricket was entirely accidental. As a child, cricket was never his primary focus; he grew up passionate about football and tennis, playing cricket purely for recreation. Everything changed when a close friend took notice of his rapid growth spurt and towering frame, advising him to attend regional fast-bowling trials.

Emulating his idol, South African legend Dale Steyn, Gurnoor took up the leather ball seriously. His unique combination of a high-arm release and natural pace immediately stood out in local camps. Within two short years of taking up the sport competitively, he found himself throwing heavy fire in age-group invitation nets.

Gurnoor made his List A debut for Punjab in late 2022, quickly followed by his First-Class bow. However, it was his breakout performance during the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season that transformed him into a legitimate national contender. He destroyed batting lineups by taking 26 wickets in just seven matches, including an exceptional, career-best spell of 5/14 against Bihar.

To date, he has taken 52 wickets across 18 First-Class matches at a remarkably healthy average of 27.30. His shorter-format credentials are equally stellar; he emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the 2024 Sher-E-Punjab T20 League, hunting down 22 dismissals in 11 matches. Furthermore, during an India A assignment hosting Australia A in Lucknow, Gurnoor proved his big-game temperament by finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker, claiming eight wickets over two unofficial Tests.

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Long before the general public learned his name, IPL franchises recognized Gurnoor’s immense utility. As early as 2019, he was brought in as a net bowler for the Mumbai Indians to test their elite top order. By 2023, he joined the Punjab Kings as an injury replacement for Raj Angad Bawa, making his official IPL debut against the Lucknow Super Giants.

Though he bowled just one game before a domestic injury derailed his season, his high-ceiling talent led to a fierce bidding war at the 2025 IPL Mega Auction. The Gujarat Titans ultimately secured his services for a staggering ₹1.30 crore, providing him direct mentorship under the watchful eyes of head coach Ashish Nehra.

Behind Gurnoor’s rapid ascent lies a crucial relationship with India’s newly minted Test and ODI captain, Shubman Gill. The duo crossed paths years ago when Gill was rising through the India U-19 ranks. Facing Gurnoor in the nets, Gill was instantly blown away by the heavy ball the tall speedster delivered. Recognizing raw, unpolished diamond status, Gill actively vouched for Gurnoor, helping him break into the Mohali district team and subsequently fast-tracking his entry into Punjab’s U-23 structure.

When injuries and bad luck threatened to stall Gurnoor’s career post-2023, Gill once again stood by him, ensuring he remained a focal point in franchise configurations. Now, as Gill leads the national side out to play Afghanistan, life comes full circle as he prepares to hand a debut cap to the very bowler he helped discover.

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