India’s rookie fast bowler Gurnoor Brar said he wants to keep a positive mindset while bowling even if there is less help on offer in the track. Brar was recently part of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka but didn’t get his chance in the playing XI.
The lanky pacer is currently plying his trade in the ongoing Duleep Trophy semifinal between North Zone and South Zone. While representing North Zone, Brar returned with impressive figures of 4-88 in 23 overs he bowled in the first innings.
Brar had also impressed in his debut ODI series against Afghanistan, taking seven wickets in three games. However, he was taken to the cleaners on the England tour.
Brar said in an interview with RevSportz, “First of all, you need to develop your mindset. If you think that there is nothing on the wicket, you’re already one step behind the batter. But I don’t let that get in the way. I always want to make the batters feel that when I’m bowling, you’re not in the game.”
Brar admitted his confidence was boosted after he took a ten-wicket haul in the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka A.
“I am happy with that performance because it was a slow wicket. If a pacer takes wickets on such a wicket, it’s a very good feeling. I gained more confidence after that performance, realizing that I could bowl on any wicket. The player and ground don’t matter to me; it’s just me vs me.”
The Punjab pacer said he learned a lot after sharing the dressing room with senior Indian pacers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna.
“Obviously, I was selected in the Indian team based on my Ranji Trophy and India A performances. So, I stuck to that. But the learning was how I could be consistent with my lengths and how to bowl to different batters according to the wicket. I spent time with Morne sir and Gambhir sir. Obviously, Boom bhai (Jasprit Bumrah), Siraj bhai, and Prasidh bhai were there, and you gain experience by watching them closely.”
Brar has thus far taken one wicket in the second innings against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinal.
