Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has lauded the Indian selectors for identifying and backing young fast bowler Gurnoor Brar, who made a sensational ODI debut against Afghanistan in the first match of the three-match series. The Punjab pacer justified the faith shown in him with an impressive performance that played a crucial role in India’s victory.
The opening ODI, played in Dharamshala, was shortened to 25 overs per side due to rain. Despite the challenging conditions, Brar looked comfortable from the moment he received the new ball. The tall right-arm pacer consistently bowled above 145 kmph and troubled the Afghan batters with his pace, bounce, and movement. He finished with figures of 3/27, making an immediate impact in his first international appearance. Remarkably, he picked up his maiden ODI wicket within his first five deliveries in international cricket.
Brar’s selection had generated discussion among cricket followers and experts before the series. Some observers felt that other domestic performers, including Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi, had stronger claims for a place in the squad. However, Ashwin believes the selectors deserve significant credit for spotting Brar’s potential and backing their judgment.
Speaking about the young fast bowler, Ashwin highlighted several qualities that make Brar a special prospect. According to the veteran spinner, Brar possesses the physical attributes and skill set required to succeed at the highest level. His height allows him to generate extra bounce, while his pace and ability to swing the new ball make him a dangerous option in any conditions. Ashwin also pointed out that Brar is still young and has plenty of room for further improvement.
The former India star noted that many questioned the decision to pick Brar ahead of other domestic pacers. However, after witnessing the debut performance, Ashwin said the selectors’ decision looked fully justified. He praised the talent scouts, coaches, and selection panel for recognizing Brar’s potential before the wider cricket community did. Ashwin believes such decisions demonstrate the importance of long-term planning and talent identification within Indian cricket.
Ashwin also expressed confidence that Brar could become a major asset for Indian cricket in the future. He stated that if the pacer remains fit and continues developing his skills, he has the potential to establish himself as a leading fast bowler for the national team. The combination of raw pace, natural bounce, and youth gives Brar a high ceiling as a cricketer.
The veteran spinner did not reserve his praise solely for Brar. He also applauded fellow debutant Harsh Dubey, who endured a difficult start but showed excellent character to bounce back strongly. Dubey, a left-arm spinner from Vidarbha, was initially attacked by Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz but recovered well to finish with three wickets. Ashwin praised Dubey’s fighting spirit and ability to stay in the contest despite early setbacks.
India eventually secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory to take a 1-0 lead in the ODI series. Captain Shubman Gill led from the front with an unbeaten 84-run knock, guiding the hosts to the target with ease. While Gill’s innings was instrumental in the chase, the performances of debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey provided one of the biggest positives for India. Their successful introductions suggest that the team’s future talent pipeline remains strong and that the selectors’ faith in young domestic performers is already paying dividends.