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The India national cricket team has found a new fast-bowling star. Young Punjab pacer Gurnoor Brar has impressed one and all with a dream start to his ODI career, and even he created a special record in only his first series for the national side. Earlier, Gurnoor Brar snubbed Gautam Gambhir credit for his successful debut.
Brar’s selection over Auqib Nabi received a lot of criticism, but the young pacer has completely lived up to the expectation of the national selection committee by delivering stunning performances in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Afghanistan at home.
Gurnoor Brar silences critics with dream ODI debut series
On Saturday, June 20, Gurnoor Brar became the Indian bowler with the most wickets in the debut three-match ODI series. In the process, the Punjab bowler went past Yuzvendra Chahal and Prasidh Krishna, who had earlier shared the record with six wickets each.
The 25-year-old made an impact right from his debut match. Brar picked up three wickets in the opening ODI and followed it up with another three-wicket haul in the second game. Going into the final ODI, Brar needed just one wicket to create history.
Mohammad Nabi wicket seals historic series for Gurnoor Brar
However, things were not easy for the bowler in the Chennai heat, yet he kept putting pressure on the Afghanistan batters. Brar consistently touched speeds of 140-145 km/h and generated extra bounce from the surface, making it difficult for batters to deal with his pace and sharp movement.
History made in the blue jersey! 🇮🇳✍️#GurnoorBrar snaps up the most wickets by an Indian bowler in a debut 3-match bilateral ODI series! 🔥#INDvAFG | 3rd ODI | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/xAkABxqrVm pic.twitter.com/BPyjqsnp5J
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 20, 2026
Ibrahim Zadran found it tough to handle Brar many times in the final ODI and even hit the opener on the helmet with a nasty bouncer. He kept attacking and finally got his reward in the 38th over when a fast delivery stayed low and crashed into Mohammad Nabi's stumps.
That wicket helped him break the record and finish his debut ODI series with an impressive record. Well, the fast bowler’s pace, bounce, fighting attitude, and ability to trouble batters have made him one of India's biggest positives from the Afghanistan series.
Shubman Gill gives big verdict on Gurnoor Brar after record-breaking series
After the match, Indian captain Shubman Gill has said Gurnoor Brar has ticked the boxes they expected him to in his debut series at home against Afghanistan.
Gill said at the post-match presentation, "Yes, he did tick most of the boxes, but there are some things that he can only learn from experience, and hopefully he is going to keep growing as a bowler. For me, if I am to be really critical, he did go for a little bit of a run.
He was a little bit inconsistent at times, but he is young; he is playing his first series at the top level, and he is bowling quick. He has got all the good signs that we want from a young, tall, fast bowler. And with experience, he is only going to get better.”
Now, the Indian team is all set to depart for Ireland and England for the white-ball assignments before the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.
