Who Is Gurnoor Brar? Shubman Gill’s Friend Earns Maiden India Call-Up
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A New Face in the Indian Setup: The Rise of Gurnoor Brar
On Tuesday, May 19, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the 15-member squad for the highly anticipated home series against Afghanistan. Set to take place in June, the series consists of a one-off Test match and three One Day Internationals (ODIs). While the selection meeting saw several established names missing from the rosters, the most discussed topic across social media and cricketing circles was the inclusion of Gurnoor Brar. The Punjab-based cricketer has been fast-tracked into the national setup, earning a spot in both the red-ball and white-ball squads.
Gurnoor Brar – (Source: ScreenGrab/X.com)
Who Is Gurnoor Brar? From Tennis to the Crease
Standing at a formidable 6 feet 5 inches, Gurnoor Brar represents the modern archetype of a fast bowler. Interestingly, cricket was not always his primary focus. In his early youth, Brar was more inclined toward tennis and football. However, his natural physical growth and height eventually steered him toward the cricket pitch. He found his inspiration in the legendary South African speedster Dale Steyn, whose aggression and technique Brar sought to emulate as he developed his craft.
His formal journey in competitive cricket began with the Punjab domestic setup in 2022. His height allows him to extract significant bounce even on subcontinental tracks, a trait that has historically been valued by Indian selectors looking to diversify their pace attack. This physical advantage, combined with a raw ability to generate pace, made him a player of interest in the domestic circuit early on.
The Shubman Gill Connection: A Longstanding Mentorship
One of the most intriguing aspects of Brar’s rise is his deep-rooted friendship with current Indian star Shubman Gill. The two have shared a bond since their Under-19 days. Brar has been vocal about the role Gill played in his professional development, acknowledging that the opening batter was instrumental in promoting his talent at the district level. During Gill’s time with the India Under-19 team, he witnessed Brar’s potential during Katoch Shield matches and actively encouraged his transition into higher levels of competitive cricket.
“I used to bowl to him since our Under-19 days. I remember when he was playing for India Under-19, he played a couple of Katoch Shield matches. He saw me bowling and helped me get into the district team. I played for Mohali and was then picked for the Punjab Under-23 side,” Brar stated in a previous interview. This professional backing from a player of Gill’s stature has been a constant theme in Brar’s career trajectory, culminating in their reunion in the national colors.
Despite his recent call-up, Brar’s journey through the professional ranks has been unconventional. In 2019, he served as a net bowler for the Mumbai Indians, a role that provided him with exposure to elite-level training environments. However, he struggled to make a lasting impression in his initial domestic appearances for Punjab. His break into the Indian Premier League (IPL) came in 2023 when the Punjab Kings signed him as an injury replacement for Angad Bawa.
In 2025, the Gujarat Titans, under the influence of their leadership group including Shubman Gill, secured Brar for a substantial sum of 1.30 crores. Despite the high price tag, Brar has found it difficult to break into the starting XI. In fact, over two seasons with the Titans, he failed to play a single match. To date, his IPL experience remains limited to just one solitary appearance in the competition’s history. This lack of top-flight match practice is one of the reasons his inclusion in the national squad has caused such a stir.
Decoding the Selection: Performance vs. Potential
When examining the statistics, Gurnoor Brar’s record suggests he is a player selected more for his potential and physical attributes than for overwhelming domestic dominance. In his first-class career, Brar has claimed 52 wickets in 28 innings, maintaining a bowling average of 27. While these are respectable figures for a young pacer, they do not necessarily scream ‘automatic international selection’ in a country with a deep pool of fast-bowling talent.
His contributions with the bat also remain a work in progress. In first-class cricket, he averages 15.20, having accumulated 304 runs across 23 innings. His List-A statistics are even more modest, with just 12 wickets in 9 innings and a batting average of 8.66.
Conclusion: A High-Stakes Opportunity
The decision to include Gurnoor Brar in the squad for the Afghanistan series indicates a shift in the selectors’ strategy, focusing on specific physical profiles that can be groomed for the future. With the backing of Shubman Gill and the opportunity to showcase his skills on the international stage, the upcoming series in June will be a litmus test for the youngster. Whether he can translate his raw physical gifts into match-winning performances for India remains to be seen, but Gurnoor Brar has undoubtedly become the most watched newcomer in the current Indian cricketing landscape.