Veteran India all-rounder Shardul Thakur has praised Gurnoor Brar for bowling a potent spell in the second ODI against New Zealand as well. He added that the lanky pace bowler was unfortunate not to pick up a five-wicket haul. Brar registered figures of 4/30 in 10 overs as India bowled out New Zealand for 134 in Wellington as well. Team India eventually won the game by four runs via the DLS method as rain played spoiler.

During a discussion on Sony Sports, Shardul said, “We had definitely gotten two wickets when he came to bowl, but it seemed like Tom Latham would get set and look to play a big knock. However, he dismissed Tom Latham. Then he got Glenn Phillips out and dismissed a set Mitchell Santner when he returned to the attack. His bowling was absolutely perfect.”

“He kept hitting the back of a length and good length, and along with that, he used the bouncer extremely well, which is his strength. He is tall, has pace, and gets bounce naturally. His bouncers weren’t too short either. So the batters remain slightly tentative. He knows his strength. I believe he was unlucky not to get five wickets. It was a spell where he could have definitely taken five wickets,” he further added.

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Speaking on Sony Sports, former India batter Ajinkya Rahane also shared that the team management’s backing has benefited Gurnoor Brar.

“He impressed a lot. He kept repeating the same length. He didn’t try much. He kept bowling at his strength. For any player, when the team management backs you, your confidence becomes different,” he said. “When you bowl in India, it’s very difficult for you. The wicket is extremely flat. You look for an opportunity to bowl in favorable conditions. These are the right conditions for our fast bowlers,” Rahane concluded.