Punjab pacer Gurnoor Brar was more excited than under pressure during his India debut against Afghanistan in the rain-shortened first ODI in Dharamsala and his first wicket calmed his nerves, and he went on to have a remarkable performance.
The hosts now lead the three-match series 1-0 after captain Shubman Gill unleashed a magnificent performance to propel India to a comfortable seven-wicket victory on Saturday. Brar shone with stats of 3/27.
“Obviously, I wouldn’t say there was pressure but there was excitement…like, I have to do well for India, I have to bowl well. Obviously, everyone wants to give their best here and I was doing the same. I just had to give my best and with God’s grace it went well,” Brar said in an interaction with Gill.
In addition to having taken more than 50 wickets in 18 first-class games, Brar’s outstanding efforts in the Vijay Hazare Trophy last season earned him an ODI call-up.
Brar’s fast speed was impressive in Dharamsala as well. He consistently recorded speeds above 145 clicks, pushing the speed gun to a maximum of 148.2 kmph.
Gill, who has been following Brar’s career attentively, questioned the rookie about his feelings after winning his first India cap and taking his first international wicket. In response, Brar said that after taking the first wicket, he felt at ease.
“It’s a special feeling, like all the hard work has finally paid off, all the grind like I did in this heat…yeah it’s a special moment. (The first wicket) yeah, it’s like a milestone that you just have to cross. When that first wicket happened suddenly it brought a sense of relief like ‘now there’s no tension’.”
Gill then jokingly asked Brar if he thought Ibrahim Zadran’s opening wicket, a skier, may be dropped because it was a rather difficult opportunity. In response, the 26-year-old grinned and said, “Since you were under it, I knew it wouldn’t be dropped.”
Afghanistan scored a competitive 194 despite Brar’s outstanding performance thanks to opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s powerful 102 off 51 balls.
India needed someone to anchor the innings as they chased the mark, and Gill did it with his usual assurance, scoring an undefeated 84 on a somewhat sticky wicket to lead the hosts home in 22.5 overs. Gill stated that his goal was to remain until the very end and make sure India crossed the finish line.
“So, when I went in to bat, my main thing was that I wanted to be there till the end. I wanted to finish the game for the team. And, you know, the way I was expecting the start, that start didn’t come. So, I knew I had to grind a bit. The wicket was good, but it was a bit sticky,” said Gill.
“The ball was turning a bit and seaming slightly. So I thought if I could get through that period, the game would become easier and easier.
“Then once the runs started coming, I would find my rhythm. Obviously, you feel very good when you plan something and everything goes according to the plan,” Gill added.
