Shubman Gill Backs Gurnoor Brar After Match-Winning Spell In Wellington

Shubman Gill backs Gurnoor Brar after match-winning spell© X/@BCCI

India captain Shubman Gill backed young pacer Gurnoor Brar to become more consistent with experience after his impressive four-wicket haul helped India secure a four-run DLS victory over New Zealand in the rain-curtailed second ODI at Hnry Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday. Brar produced career-best figures of 4/30 as India took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. After opting to bowl first, India bundled New Zealand out for 134 in 41 overs, with Brar dismissing captain Mitchell Santner before removing Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips in quick succession. He also accounted for Nathan Smith to complete his four-wicket haul, while Auqib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj provided the early breakthroughs. Brar had also impressed in the series opener, claiming 3/44 in 9.2 overs.

Praising the pacer's ability to generate pace and bounce, Gill said Brar has all the attributes required to succeed at the highest level and will only improve with greater exposure to international cricket.

"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 during the post-match presentation.

Although India managed to dismiss New Zealand for a modest total, the chase proved far from straightforward as the visitors lost seven wickets before rain brought an early end to the contest. India were 113/7 at the time, four runs ahead of the DLS par score.

Gill admitted he had expected the chase to be easier after New Zealand were bowled out for 134 but was pleased with the result nonetheless.

"As long as we get the win. It wasn't easy batting. Getting them out for 134, I thought it would be an easy target, but it wasn't. Happy we got there in the end. The pitch was challenging, but we lost two extra wickets than we'd have liked," he said.

Chasing 135, India suffered early setbacks as Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Axar Patel departed with the score on 47/4.

Shreyas Iyer (30) and KL Rahul (26 not out) attempted to steady the innings, but New Zealand pacers Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson claimed three wickets apiece to keep the contest alive.

However, with India at 113/7 and four runs ahead of the DLS target when rain stopped play, the visitors were declared winners and moved within one victory of sealing the series.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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