Gurnoor Brar for India (Source: AFP Photos)
On his international debut, Gurnoor Brar took a wicket on the very first over when India were up against Afghanistan on Saturday at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala. More significantly, it was the wicket of Ibrahim Zadran, who is third in the ICC ODI Batting Rankings, only behind New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell and Virat Kohli.
Gurnoor did not stop there, as Rashid Khan and Ziaur Rahman Sharifi were the next to become his victims. Eventually, he finished with excellent figures of 3/27 after 4.5 overs.
In a match which was reduced to a 25-over-a-side clash due to persistent rain in Dharamsala. Still, Brar managed to enter the history books, as he secured one of the best bowling figures on India ODI debut.
A Debut To Remember Ft. Gurnoor Brar
With excellent figures in Dharamsala, Gurnoor Brar claimed the fourth spot in the chart of best bowling figures on India ODI debut. Brar went above Subroto Banerjee, who had returned 3/30 while making his debut at W.A.C.A, back in 1991.
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The chart is led by Prasidh Krishna, who took four wickets for 54 runs in his first-ever 50-over match for India in Pune in 2021. Noel David and Varun Aaron are just behind him. Interestingly, no Indian has taken five or more wickets on their ODI debuts.
Best Bowling Figures On India ODI Debut
- 4/54 – Prasidh Krishna vs England, Pune, 2021
- 3/21 – Noel David vs West Indies, Port of Spain, 1997
- 3/24 – Varun Aaron vs England, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2011
- 3/27 – Gurnoor Brar vs Afghanistan, Dharamsala, 2026, Tonight*
- 3/30 – Subroto Banerjee vs West Indies, W.A.C.A, 1991
Shubman Gill Leads By Example In Dharamsala
Riding on Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s stupendous 51-ball 102, Afghanistan posted 194 while losing all ten wickets in 24.5 overs. Along with Gurnoor, Harsh Dubey made India’s debut on the same day.
Dubey, too, shone with the ball, taking three wickets while conceding 47 runs in his five overs. Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy, on the other hand, had two wickets each, while Prasidh Krishna remained wicketless after his five overs.
Coming to chase, India lost Rohit Sharma early after a mix-up with captain Shubman Gill led him to an unfortunate run-out. However, Gill stayed strong from one end, and eventually took his side past the finishing line.
Laced with 11 fours and two sixes, Gill remained unbeaten on 84 off 66 balls. He was ably supported by Ishan Kishan, who came to bat at No. 3 in the absence of Virat Kohli. ODI Vice-captain and India’s newly-named T20I captain Shreyas Iyer did not stay long, but KL Rahul went all guns blazing to get the job done within 22.5 overs and seven wickets to spare.
India and Afghanistan will next play in Lucknow on June 17 before the focus shifts to Chennai for the final ODI. The Chennai ODI is scheduled for June 20.
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