Ravichandran Ashwin lauds brave selection call on Gurnoor Brar despite criticism

Gurnoor Brar has impressed one and all with his impressive performance on his debut during India’s seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the first ODI in Dharamshala. After slamming Shubman Gill, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin lauded Gurnoor and also hailed the selectors for showing faith in him.

The Indian selection committee had faced plenty of criticism when they picked Gurnoor ahead of Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi. But after watching the youngster’s performance, Ashwin has hit back at the critics and lauded the selectors’ decision.

Gurnoor Brar’s stunning debut silences doubters

When India’s squad for the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan was announced, many slammed chief selector Ajit Agarkar and other selectors for overlooking Auqib Nabi for Gurnoor Brar because of the latter’s remarkably consistent performances in domestic cricket.

Interestingly, Gurnoor also had very limited domestic experience and had played only one IPL match back in 2023, but when he got the opportunity, he proved the selectors’ call right. He finished with impressive figures of 3/27 runs in 4.5 overs in the rain-shortened Dharamshala ODI.

Ravichandran Ashwin makes big prediction on Gurnoor Brar’s future

After the Men in Blue took a 1-0 lead in the ongoing ODI series, Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted Gurnoor’s height, strength, and ability to bowl consistently above 145 km/h. He also pointed out that the pacer gets a good swing with the new ball but still has plenty of room to improve.

Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “Gurnoor Brar, we have to say that he is really impressive. He is tall, and it seems like he is quite strong too. He bowled every ball over 145 kmph. There is a massive upside. The skill, action, and swing he gets with the new ball—there is a lot of upside with him. He can bowl even faster; he is young.”

Ashwin hails selectors’ Gurnoor Brar gamble over Auqib Nabi

Ashwin felt the national selectors and coaches deserve credit for spotting such talent early. Even the former Indian off-spinner has predicted that Brar can become a big weapon for the team in the future. Earlier, Aakash Chopra hailed Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey debuts.

He further noted, “When the selectors chose Gurnoor Brar, and not Auqib Nabi, many people talked about it. I think it was a very good spot. This is not a comparison between them, but the selectors and the coaches who saw Gurnoor have to be praised; that is a really good eye. If he stays fit and does all the right things, he can become a really big bowler for India in the future.”

Ravichandran Ashwin hails Harsh Dubey’s fighting spirit

Speaking about another debutant, Harsh Dubey, Ashwin lauded the young spinner’s fighting attitude as he made the stunning comeback in Dharamshala after being attacked by Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 16 runs in his first over. The left-arm spinner bounced back brilliantly as he changed his approach, fought his way back into the game, and finished with three wickets.

Ashwin signed off by saying, “I know Harsh Dubey very well; there was no doubt in my mind that he would be a good player. He always fights, never backs down from a contest. He proved to be a little expensive, but the way he made a comeback—that is Harsh Dubey for you. He can also bat very well.”