Gurnoor Brar: Even if the wicket is flat, I should win matches for India

Gurnoor Brar made his Indian senior team debut in the ODI series against Afghanistan this year. | Photo Credit: R. RAGU

Gurnoor Brar could not get a single game in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) for Gujarat Titans. However, just a couple of months later, the six-foot-five pacer from Punjab made his international debut in Dharamshala during the One-Day International series against Afghanistan.

The 26-year-old has played nine ODIs since, and with a tall frame and the ability to generate extra bounce, he is in the conversation for India’s squad for the ODI World Cup in South Africa next year.

On the sidelines of Punjab’s Ranji Trophy game against Chhattisgarh in New Chandigarh, Gurnoor spoke to Sportstar about adjusting to life in international cricket, how bowlers can survive in batter-friendly conditions, his return to domestic cricket and more.

Q. You played two Ranji Trophy games for Punjab despite a big tour to New Zealand on the horizon. How important is it to come back and play domestic cricket?

A. When I played for India, I had that confidence because of what I have been able to do with Punjab. Playing for Punjab, there is always an extra motivation to win the match; put in the effort to contribute to the team’s win. For the team where I have performed and progressed from, if I have to play there again, I will go with the same hunger and enthusiasm.

How was the experience of bowling with Umesh Yadav?

It was great! He kept giving his inputs throughout. In the match, obviously it was about how we can get wickets, what we can plan in the spell. I will get just two games with him here, but I have spent a lot of time with him at Gujarat Titans. But now, when we were practicing, he told me a lot of simple things, not very different or complicated. But sometimes, simple things help you a lot. He made me understand the importance of bowling in the same area.

The pitch in the opening round match was flat while the one in the second round helped spinners. Is it frustrating or difficult as a pacer to play in such conditions?

Actually, I have said this plenty of times before as well, I enjoy bowling in such placid conditions and these kinds of wickets. Because I feel that I will have a chance to stand out. Where nothing is happening, if I come and bowl fast and make some impact, it will show how good I am. So, that always keeps me motivated. And that also becomes an extra bit of challenge for the batter. So, I go with the same motivation.

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How has life changed this year since you have debuted for India?

This season in the IPL I didn’t get a match, but I was motivated. I knew that wherever I get the chance, I will do good and win matches. So, I kept the hunger and same passion that I just have to level up my game. By God’s grace and the coaches, selectors and captain who trusted me, I got a chance in the Afghanistan series. I was lucky enough to end up with seven wickets from three games. It felt good, but obviously, I wasn’t satisfied with it. You always want to do better and keep improving. So, for the upcoming series, I am looking forward to going to New Zealand and doing better than before and helping the team win there.

Is there anything special you’ve done to prepare for the New Zealand series?

Nothing as such, I just have to focus on my body, on being fit and ready to bowl as many overs as I can.

You mentioned the support from coaches and captain. You have known Shubman Gill since age-group cricket. Does it feel special that you debuted under him in ODIs?

The whole world has seen him graduate from Under-19 to senior cricket. He has proven how good he is as a cricketer, what kind of batter he is and what more he can achieve. But what stands out for me is that the hunger is still visible in him. It is not that he is satisfied. If he has scored 200 on one day, the next day he will come with the mindset that he is on zero and he has to do it all over again. So, that hunger motivates the youngsters who are coming. Just look at the way he came to play for Punjab for just one game. So, it feels good to see that. And in the coming days, I hope he can achieve a lot more.

It has been a tough initiation into international cricket for Gurnoor Brar with pitches offering little assistance for bowlers. | Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP

Your economy rate currently stands at more than seven-an-over. Are the flat pitches on offer in ODIs making it difficult for the bowlers to thrive in this format?

Obviously, the wickets have been challenging. It has been batting-friendly wickets, that was the case in the West Indies series as well. But according to me, your wicket-taking threat still makes bowlers lucrative. If we can start winning matches by picking wickets on such pitches, imagine how much we will benefit on bowling-friendly pitches. So, that is also a challenge for me. No matter what, even if the wicket is flat, I should win matches. Obviously, I am still new to international cricket, still learning now. But, hopefully I will win matches for the team in the future.

What have been the biggest learnings from the nine games in international cricket?

Obviously, the biggest of them all is that you have to be fit. Even if you are bowling the ninth or the 10th over, your body has to react and deliver in the same way. Then the fielding intensity is very high. You have to save runs as well. So, that is one aspect of the challenge.

Secondly, you need to have a stock of variations. You should have yorkers and slower bouncers. Because no batter is afraid of pace anymore. Even if you are bowling 150, if it is not in the right direction, it won’t work. You have to be mentally strong to back yourself even if the batters are going after you, you have to be able to read the batter and accordingly change how you bowl. According to me, this works the most.

Has the new rule of choosing one ball after the 34th over helped bowlers?

It helps, certainly. It is better than before when you were having two balls. Looking at the grounds and the wickets we have now, you get to see a little bit of reverse. It is good that some of the factors are working in favour of the bowlers.

People speculate that the Indian team management sees you as a potential pick for the ODI World Cup in South Africa next year. Has that been the message from the coaches as well?

There has been no such discussion. Their main aim with me is that I have to improve with every match, every series. Neither do I think too far ahead into the future. Obviously, there is an aim you have to set which helps you plan your progress, but at the same time, I go match-by-match. Whatever is written ahead for me is what I will do, and I will obviously try to make it good.