Gurnoor Brar delivered a sensational all-round bowling performance as India A thrashed Sri Lanka A by 10 wickets in the second unofficial four-day Test in Galle on Sunday, sealing the two-match series 1-0 after the opening game ended in a draw. The pacer, who recently made his ODI debut for India against Afghanistan, starred with figures of 6/68 in the second innings as Sri Lanka A collapsed under sustained pressure.
Trailing by 177 runs, Sri Lanka A were bowled out for 209, leaving India A to chase 33, which they achieved without losing a wicket. Sri Lanka A struggled to cope with Brar’s pace throughout the innings, with only Ashen Bandara offering resistance through a fighting 87 off 86 balls. However, he too fell to Brar, who completed a 10-wicket match haul after claiming 4/77 in the first innings.
Earlier, Sri Lanka A had posted 366 in their first innings before India A responded strongly with 543. Sai Sudharsan led the charge with a magnificent 168, while Devdutt Padikkal narrowly missed out on a century, falling for 94. Captain Dhruv Jurel contributed 53, and Saransh Jain remained unbeaten on 70 to help India A take a decisive first-innings lead.
Gurnoor Brar Emerging as India’s Next Fast-Bowling Star
Before earning his maiden India call-up for the one-off Test and three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in May, Gurnoor Brar had expressed his love for red-ball cricket and the challenge it presents.
“If it is a completely flat wicket where nothing is happening, that is when I will raise my hand to say, I’m here, I will get him out. If I manage to get [someone out] on a flat wicket without any movement, it gives me double the happiness.”
“So that has been part of my inner drive [to succeed] in red-ball cricket. Red-ball cricket will always remain at the top for me because there is no other format where a cricketer is tested endurance-wise, mentally, skill-wise,” he told ESPNcricinfo.
Although Brar did not feature in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, he made his international debut during the ODI series and immediately caught the eye. The young pacer impressed with his pace, accuracy and consistent line and length.
With performances like these, Brar has emerged as one of India’s most promising fast-bowling prospects. A future new-ball partnership with Jasprit Bumrah in Test cricket is an exciting possibility, while fans will next see him in action during the upcoming ODI series against England later this month.
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