Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif hailed India’s rookie pacer Gurnoor Brar after India claimed a six-wicket win against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Tuesday. Brar, who impressed in his debut series against Afghanistan, played for the first time in overseas conditions.
But the lanky pacer was hit for 17 runs in his first over by England opener Ben Duckett. However, the Punjab pacer bounced back in style, accounting for both England openers Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett in the same over on short-pitched deliveries.
Brar eventually returned with figures of 2-61 in nine overs he bowled and he must have gained a lot of confidence by delivering in English conditions. Earlier, the fast bowler had bagged seven wickets in three ODIs against Afghanistan.
“So Gurnoor Brar has height, but he does not have much experience, he has not even played in the IPL. He is being fast-tracked because the team management and Shubman Gill, who plays with him in Punjab as well, feel that he can be a massive investment for the future. That is why he is getting chances. He is being played in England, because it is a bit similar to South Africa in terms of help for the pacers. They wanted to test him here, and he has passed. Although he went for runs, his ability to take wickets will take him far. He played against Afghanistan, and now here, so they wish for some continuity here and keep giving him chances,” Kaif said on Cricbuzz.
The former UP batter reckons there has been some long-term planning done with Gurnoor Brar. Brar would definitely be handy on South African pitches in the ODI World Cup with his extra pace and bounce.
“There has been some long-term planning done with him. In the bowling department, someone is getting injured, while someone is going out of form, going for runs. Our batting unit is the same from the 2023 World Cup, but the bowlers are changing, because they know that the World Cup is in South Africa,” Mohammad Kaif added.
The second ODI between India and England will be played at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Thursday.
