Gavaskar hails selectors for backing Gurnoor Brar after India's 170-run ODI win
Synopsis
Sunil Gavaskar's praise for Gurnoor Brar cuts to the heart of a quiet selection debate — can gut-feel picks outperform data-driven calls? Brar's 3/60 in Lucknow, after stats that barely justified an India A cap, suggests Ajit Agarkar's panel may be onto something. The real test comes in the Chennai decider, where India's spin puzzle still needs solving.
Key Takeaways
India beat Afghanistan by 170 runs in the second ODI in Lucknow on 18 June , taking an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
Gurnoor Brar took 3/60 as Afghanistan were bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs .
Shubman Gill scored 154 off 110 balls ; Ishan Kishan hit 125 off 79 in a 224-run partnership .
Sunil Gavaskar credited chief selector Ajit Agarkar for backing Brar despite modest India A numbers.
Gavaskar flagged India's spin department — featuring Kuldeep Yadav and Harsh Dubey — as the key area to resolve before the Chennai decider.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has lavished praise on chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the Indian selection committee for identifying and nurturing young left-arm pacer Gurnoor Brar, whose three-wicket haul played a pivotal role in India's commanding 170-run victory over Afghanistan in the second ODI at Lucknow on 18 June. The win hands India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Brar's Match-Winning Performance
Gurnoor Brar returned figures of 3/60 as India bowled Afghanistan out for 232 in 44.3 overs, defending a mammoth total of 402 all out. The left-arm seamer consistently hit the deck hard and generated sharp lift, with Gavaskar singling out the dismissal of Gurbaz as particularly impressive.
'His run-up is so good, his rhythm is so good, he was hitting the deck and getting the ball to climb. The wicket he got of Gurbaz was particularly impressive because of the way that bouncer followed him. It's very accurate. It comes right at you, exactly where the batter does not want it,' Gavaskar said.
Selectors Saw Beyond the Numbers
Gavaskar was emphatic that Brar's India call-up was a case of the selection panel looking past raw statistics. 'If you look at his stats, or his India A performances, they're okay, but not to the extent where you would say he deserved an India cap. However, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, saw something in him, and that's why they picked him. He's also been backed by the management, which is so important,' he added. This kind of faith in a player's potential — rather than a strict numbers-driven selection — has been a recurring theme under Agarkar's tenure as chief selector.
Gill's Form and the Captaincy Advantage
Captain Shubman Gill led from the front with a superb 154 off 110 balls, sharing a match-defining 224-run partnership with Ishan Kishan, who smashed 125 off 79 deliveries, as India posted 402 all out. Gavaskar reflected on how a captain's personal form directly sharpens on-field decision-making.
'When you're not getting runs, you're not confident about making those marginal moves that come from your gut feel, like holding back a bowler who has bowled well, giving him an extra over, or moving a fielder from a certain position. That gut feel is a lot stronger when you're personally performing,' Gavaskar explained.
Spin Department Under the Spotlight Ahead of Chennai Decider
With the series already won, Gavaskar identified India's spin options as the one area requiring greater clarity heading into the third and final ODI in Chennai. He noted that Kuldeep Yadav had bowled well without taking wickets, while Harsh Dubey claimed three wickets in the first game but was expensive.
'That is where India will be looking for some answers over the next few ODIs, not just in the final game of the series in Chennai,' Gavaskar said. He also indicated that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are likely to reprise their opening partnership for the final match.
Point of View
The scouting process deserves scrutiny in both directions. The more pressing issue, however, is the spin conundrum Gavaskar flagged. With Kuldeep wicketless and Dubey expensive, India's spin depth looks thin ahead of a tournament cycle where conditions will not always favour pace. The Chennai ODI is less a dead rubber and more an audition.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Gurnoor Brar perform in the second India vs Afghanistan ODI?
Gurnoor Brar took 3 wickets for 60 runs in Lucknow, helping India bowl Afghanistan out for 232 and seal a 170-run victory. His ability to hit the deck hard and generate bounce was highlighted by Sunil Gavaskar as a standout feature of his bowling.
What did Sunil Gavaskar say about the Indian selection committee?
Gavaskar said the selection committee, led by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, deserved credit for spotting Brar's potential beyond his statistics. He noted that Brar's India A numbers were 'okay, but not to the extent where you would say he deserved an India cap,' yet the selectors backed their instinct.
How did Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan perform in the second ODI?
Shubman Gill scored 154 off 110 balls and Ishan Kishan hit 125 off 79 deliveries, putting on a 224-run partnership that powered India to 402 all out. Gill's knock also drew praise from Gavaskar for how good personal form strengthens captaincy decision-making.
What is India's spin concern ahead of the third ODI in Chennai?
According to Gavaskar, Kuldeep Yadav bowled well without taking wickets while Harsh Dubey, though effective in the first game with three wickets, was expensive. Gavaskar said India would be seeking answers from their spin department not just in Chennai but across upcoming ODIs.
What is the current series standing between India and Afghanistan?
India lead the three-match ODI series 2-0 after wins in the first two games. The third and final ODI is scheduled in Chennai, and while the series is already won, India are expected to use the match to test combinations, particularly in spin bowling.
