Gurnoor Brar's Inspiring Journey to Indian Cricket Team

Gurnoor Brar's ascent to the Indian cricket team is a tale of hard work and dedication. His parents reflect on his journey from a schoolboy in Chandigarh to earning a spot in the national squad for the upcoming Test and ODI series against Afghanistan. With heartfelt gratitude, they acknowledge the selectors and BCCI for recognizing his talent. As Gurnoor prepares to make his debut, the cricketing world watches with anticipation. Read on to learn more about his inspiring story and the upcoming matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 23, 2026, 02:17 IST

Gurnoor Brar's Emotional Call-Up to the National Team

Mohali (Punjab) [India], May 23: The journey of Punjab fast bowler Gurnoor Brar to the Indian cricket team took an emotional turn on Friday as his parents shared their pride in his achievements. From his early days as a schoolboy in Chandigarh to receiving his first national call-up for the upcoming Test and ODI series against Afghanistan, Gurnoor's story is one of determination and talent.

The towering 6-foot-5 pacer has been included in both the Test and ODI squads after showcasing impressive performances in domestic cricket.

At just 25 years old, Gurnoor is among the new faces in the ODI lineup, joining fellow uncapped players Prince Yadav and Harsh Dubey.

His mother, Manwinder Kaur Brar, expressed her gratitude towards the selectors and the BCCI for acknowledging her son's abilities. She stated, “I want to thank the Almighty for this blessing, as everything happens according to His will. Gurnoor completed his schooling at Ryan International School in Chandigarh, where he participated in sports to a limited extent. After finishing 10th grade, he expressed his desire to pursue sports professionally,” she shared.

She further added, “I am sincerely grateful to the BCCI and the selectors for recognizing my son's potential, which has led to this national call-up.”

Gurnoor's father, Sukhvir Singh Brar, who serves as an ASI in the Punjab Police, reminisced about initially encouraging his son to play basketball due to his height. However, Gurnoor soon made it clear that his passion lay in cricket.

“It’s an indescribable feeling of joy,” his father remarked. “Having been a national-level basketball player myself, I suggested he try basketball. But after a few weeks, he told me he wanted to focus on cricket. I told him it was his choice, and he should pursue what he loves, as long as he stays active in sports,” he recounted.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the squads for the one-off Test and three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.

The Test match is scheduled to take place on June 6, followed by the ODI series from June 14 to June 20. Shubman Gill will captain the team in both formats, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain in Tests and Shreyas Iyer in ODIs.

Notably, veteran players Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have been excluded from both squads, while the participation of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya in the ODI series is contingent on their fitness.

India's pace attack for the Test will feature Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and the uncapped Gurnoor Brar, while the spin department will include Kuldeep Yadav, Harsh Dubey, and Manav Suthar.