India’s fast-bowling unit has continued to see the emergence of promising young talents, with Gurnoor Brar becoming one of the latest names to attract attention. The tall Punjab pacer has impressed with his pace and bounce and is now set to be part of India’s Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has also taken note of Gurnoor’s progress and believes the youngster has the potential to enjoy a lengthy career at the international level.
Zaheer Khan backs Gurnoor Brar to have a long international career
Speaking to journalist Vimal Kumar, Zaheer revealed that Gurnoor has impressed him more than any other young fast bowler in terms of potential. Zaheer also praised the decision to fast-track the 6-foot-5-inch pacer into the Indian team, highlighting his pace and overall bowling ability.
“I believe Gurnoor Brar is the one who has the ability to have a good and lengthy career. It’s good to see a young crop of fast bowlers coming through that bowl at high speeds. It’s good that he has been fast-tracked,” Zaheer said.
The former India speedster added that he had spent some time with Gurnoor and was impressed by his potential, although he acknowledged that only time will determine how his career develops.
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Brar’s impressive rise through domestic cricket
Gurnoor’s rise has been built largely on his performances in domestic cricket. After making his first-class debut in 2022, he enjoyed a breakthrough 2024-25 season, claiming 33 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 3.43. He also finished as the leading wicket-taker in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League with 22 wickets in 11 matches. His domestic performances eventually earned him an India call-up, followed by his ODI debut against Afghanistan earlier this year.
Gurnoor has also been part of the Gujarat Titans (GT) setup since being bought for ₹1.3 crore in the 2025 IPL auction, although he is yet to make his IPL debut for the franchise. With India now preparing for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka beginning August 15, Gurnoor will have another opportunity to continue his rapid rise and justify the faith being placed in his ability.
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