Sunil Gavaskar Praises Gurnoor Brar After India's Victory Over Afghanistan

In a recent ODI match, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar praised young pacer Gurnoor Brar for his outstanding performance, which contributed to India's significant victory over Afghanistan. With back-to-back three-wicket hauls, Brar's skills were instrumental in the team's success. Gavaskar also discussed Shubman Gill's effective captaincy and the need for strong performances from the opening batsmen and spinners in the upcoming matches. This article delves into the highlights of the match and the players' contributions, offering insights into the team's strategy moving forward.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 18, 2026, 19:26 IST

Gavaskar Commends Gurnoor Brar's Performance

In the wake of India's impressive victory against Afghanistan in the second ODI, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed admiration for young pacer Gurnoor Brar. Brar showcased his talent with consecutive three-wicket hauls, demonstrating a remarkable run-up and rhythm that allowed him to effectively hit the deck and make the ball 'climb'.

Brar's outstanding performance, along with centuries from captain Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan, led Team India to a commanding 170-run win, securing the series 2-0. Standing at six feet four inches, Brar's ability to generate extra bounce and speed has proven to be a valuable asset, as he has taken six wickets in two matches with an impressive average of 14.50.

Gavaskar Discusses Brar's Selection

During a segment on JioStar 'Cricket Live', Gavaskar praised the team management for their faith in Brar, despite his less-than-stellar domestic statistics. He remarked, "His run-up and rhythm are exceptional, allowing him to deliver accurate bouncers that challenge batters. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, recognized his potential, which is why he was chosen. Their support has been crucial for his development."

Insights on Shubman Gill's Captaincy

Gavaskar also commented on Shubman Gill's captaincy, noting that he has managed to maintain his performance despite the pressures of leadership. Gill recently scored his first century as captain, and Gavaskar highlighted his effective management of bowlers during the match.

Looking Ahead to the Third ODI

As the third ODI approaches, Gavaskar anticipates that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will continue as the opening pair. He emphasized the need for the spin bowlers to perform well in upcoming matches, stating, "Rohit and Jaiswal will likely open again. The spin department needs to deliver, especially with Kuldeep's recent performances and Harsh Dubey's mixed results."

Match Summary: India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI

In the second ODI, Afghanistan chose to field first. However, centuries from Gill (154 runs off 110 balls) and Kishan (125 runs off 79 balls) propelled India to a total of 402 all out in 49.5 overs.

Afghanistan's Nangeyaliya Kharoti (4/76) and Rashid Khan (3/48) were the standout bowlers. In response, Rahmat Shah scored 79 runs off 89 balls, but Afghanistan was ultimately bowled out for 232 runs, with Brar (3/60), Arshdeep Singh (3/45), and debutant Prince Yadav (2/56) leading the Indian attack.