.jpeg?ssl=1)
India secured a four-run victory over New Zealand via the DLS method in Wellington on Saturday, restricting the hosts to 134 and taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Left-arm seamer Gurnoor Brar delivered a decisive performance in the rain-affected contest, claiming 4 for 30 from his 10 overs, including two maidens, to earn immediate acclaim from former India head coach Ravi Shastri.
Speaking on Sony Sports Network, Shastri emphasized the young bowler’s maturity and self-awareness. The former coach noted that beyond the statistics, Brar’s clear grasp of his own strengths—and the discipline to execute them—stood out. In his post-match remarks, Brar acknowledged his pace but stressed the importance of hitting hard lengths rather than simply relying on speed.
“I like the way he spoke in the post-match as well. He said, I know I’m fast, I’ve got to use my pace to good effect. But I don’t want to be carried away, I want to hit the hard lengths, which he’s done here, and taken the wickets,” Shastri said in the above mentioned source.
Shastri Highlights Brar’s Rapid Growth and Consistency
Shastri pointed to a clear pattern of progress in Brar’s recent outings, citing his consistency across varying venues and conditions. The combination of aggression and control, the former coach argued, signals a bowler maturing quickly at the highest level.
“When a young bowler knows what his strengths are and wants to live up to it, it’s a good sign. You saw him at Eden Park. You saw him here. He’s growing in confidence, and he’s getting better and better,” Shastri said.
The four-wicket haul marked Brar’s first in ODIs and his career-best figures in the format, achieved in just his 11th appearance. The turnaround is striking: less than four months earlier, he conceded 97 runs against England at Lord’s. His 4 for 30 now sits as the third-best by an Indian bowler against New Zealand in ODIs on New Zealand soil, trailing only Anil Kumble’s 5 for 33 (Wellington, 1994) and Javagal Srinath’s 4 for 23 (Eden Park, 2002). The performance underscores Brar’s rapid evolution from a difficult outing in England to a match-winner in challenging overseas conditions.
