Who is Gurnoor Brar, debutant who picked 3-fer vs Afghanistan?:Pacer becomes third-tallest to play for Team India

India may have found a new pace sensation in Gurnoor Brar. The 6-foot-5-inch fast bowler made a memorable international debut against Afghanistan in the first ODI on Saturday, producing an impressive performance that immediately caught the attention of cricket fans. Gurnoor became the third-tallest player to represent India in international cricket. Only former fast bowlers Abey Kuruvilla and Pankaj Singh, both standing at 6 feet 6 inches, are taller than him among Indian cricketers. The young pacer justified the faith shown in him by the team management. Bowling with pace, bounce, and accuracy, Gurnoor picked up three wickets for just 27 runs in 4.5 overs and played a key role in India’s victory. His performance marked the beginning of what many hope will be a long international career. Gurnoor Brar’s dream ODI debut for Team India Making his debut can be a nervous experience for any player, but Gurnoor looked completely at ease. He consistently bowled above 145 km/h and troubled Afghanistan’s batters with sharp bounce and disciplined line and length. The Punjab pacer finished with excellent figures of 3/27 and showed why he has been regarded as one of India’s most promising fast-bowling talents. His ability to generate extra bounce from his height proved to be a major weapon. The debut became even more special when he claimed his first international wicket, with captain Shubman Gill taking the catch to dismiss Ibrahim Zadran. Pacer Gurnoor inspired by Dale Steyn Gurnoor’s journey to international cricket is both inspiring and remarkable. His father, Sukhveer Singh Brar, works as an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in Punjab Police and was a national-level basketball player. Like many parents, Sukhveer hoped his son would follow his path and excel in basketball. However, Gurnoor had different plans. After watching videos of South African fast-bowling legend Dale Steyn, he fell in love with fast bowling and dreamed of becoming a cricketer. Interestingly, Gurnoor did not receive any professional coaching until the age of 15. He spent his early years playing tennis-ball cricket in streets and local grounds. His simple philosophy was: “If I bowl fast, I will survive.” The idea was straightforward, bowl quickly enough so that batters would struggle to hit him for sixes. Overcoming a career-threatening injury Gurnoor’s path to success was not easy. After making his IPL debut for Punjab Kings in 2023, he suffered a slipped disc injury in his back. For a fast bowler, such an injury can often threaten a career. However, Gurnoor refused to give up. He worked hard during rehabilitation and made important adjustments to his bowling action and run-up. His determination paid off when Gujarat Titans signed him for ₹1.3 crore during the IPL 2025 auction. Strong performances, especially against Australia A, eventually earned him a place in the Indian team. A life-changing wake-up call The moment Gurnoor learned about his India selection was unforgettable. When the squad for the Afghanistan ODI series was announced, he was reportedly taking a deep afternoon nap. When he woke up, messages and congratulations from family members, friends, and teammates had completely changed his life. Gurnoor Brar’s special bond with Shubman Gill Captain Shubman Gill has played an important role in Gurnoor’s journey. Both players come from Punjab and share a close connection. After Gurnoor went unsold in the IPL 2024 auction, Gill encouraged him to join Gujarat Titans as a net bowler, telling him, “You come, you will learn a lot here.” The story came full circle on Saturday when Gill handed Gurnoor his India debut cap and also took the catch for his first international wicket. Praising the young fast bowler after the match, Gill said, “Gurnoor’s excellent pace, his swing, and the precise length at which he was consistently bowling, it was truly amazing.”