Ravi Shastri hails Gurnoor Brar’s growing confidence after 4/30 in Wellington

Gurnoor Brar produced a match-winning spell of 4/30 in 10 overs, including two maidens, as India bowled New Zealand out for 134 in the rain-affected second ODI in Wellington on Saturday, a performance that helped India secure a four-run victory via the DLS method and move 2-0 up in the five-match series.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, speaking on Sony Sports Network, singled out Brar’s post-match comments and his developing self-awareness as signs of progress. "I like the way he spoke in the post-match as well. He said, I know I'm fast, I've got to use my pace to good effect. But I don't want to be carried away, I want to hit the hard lengths, which he's done here, and taken the wickets," Shastri said. "When a young bowler knows what his strengths are and wants to live up to it, it's a good sign. You saw him at Eden Park. You saw him here. He's growing in confidence, and he's getting better and better."

The 26-year-old pacer, who can consistently bowl in the 140-142 kmph range, said the conditions in New Zealand suited his game and aided his ability to extract bounce and pace. After collecting the Player of the Match award, Brar said: "I really enjoyed it. Bowling here in New Zealand, the bounce and the pace really helped me, so I enjoyed it." He also contrasted the surfaces, adding: "Obviously, in India the pitches are quite flat, so we have to bowl that hard length. But here, there's that extra bounce. So I was just bowling to my strengths, and it worked."

Brar outlined how he balances aggression with control while operating at his pace, saying: "If you're a fast bowler bowling at an average of 140 or 142, you have to be aggressive as well. But you have to know your limits too. I just enjoy it and keep bowling," he added. He also explained a tactical preference for keeping short deliveries around shoulder height to force batters into uncomfortable hitting zones rather than bowling excessively high bouncers.

India’s pace unit was a collective effort, with Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi also making contributions in conditions that offered more assistance than the flat domestic tracks they are accustomed to. Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond praised the restraint shown by the young Indian quicks: "I've really enjoyed the patience of the Indian bowling. You've got Kamboj, Nabi and Gurnoor who've been playing cricket here on flat wickets. And that's about running in and hitting the wicket consistently, and that's all they've done. They've transferred that," Bond said. He added that where young bowlers might get carried away, India’s attack remained disciplined and earned breakthroughs through consistent bowling.

Captain Shubman Gill highlighted Brar’s attributes and the expectation of greater consistency as he gains more experience, saying: "In the last match, Gurnoor bowled really well too. As he gets more experience, he'll get more consistent. He already has the pace and bounce. Most of the seamers have all the qualities. International cricket is about performing under pressure," Gill said.

India will aim for Brar to carry this confidence into the third ODI against New Zealand in Hamilton on November 10.