Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur has heaped praise on the young Indian pacer Gurnoor Brar for his exceptional spell in the second ODI against New Zealand, adding that the seamer was unfortunate to miss out on a five-wicket haul.
Speaking on Sony Sports after India’s thrilling four-run win over New Zealand, Shardul hailed Brar for bowling exceptional lines and lengths. He went on to add that Brar knows his strengths and it was a spell where he could have taken a fifer. Notably, Brar finished the innings with the figures of 4/30.
“We had definitely gotten two wickets when he came to bowl, but it seemed like Tom Latham would get set and look to play a big knock. However, he dismissed Tom Latham. Then he got Glenn Phillips out and dismissed a set Mitchell Santner when he returned to the attack. His bowling was absolutely perfect,” the Mumbai Indians all-rounder said.
“He kept hitting the back of a length and good length, and along with that, he used the bouncer extremely well, which is his strength. He is tall, has pace, and gets bounce naturally. His bouncers weren’t too short either. So the batters remain slightly tentative. He knows his strength. I believe he was unlucky not to get five wickets. It was a spell where he could have definitely taken five wickets,” he added.
On the other hand, former India batter Ajinkya Rahane asserted that the team management’s backing has helped Brar to excel in for-a-day conditions, adding that the seamer and the other Indian pacers have made the most of seamer-friendly conditions.
“He impressed a lot. He kept repeating the same length. He didn’t try much. He kept bowling at his strength. For any player, when the team management backs you, your confidence becomes different,” he said.
“When you bowl in India, it’s very difficult for you. The wicket is extremely flat. You look for an opportunity to bowl in favourable conditions. These are the right conditions for our fast bowlers,” Rahane concluded.
