An ASI's Son Reaches the Senior Side
The moment Punjab seamer Gurnoor Singh Brar had waited years for finally arrived. At the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala, he was named in India's playing XI for the first ODI of the series against Afghanistan, marking the start of his international career. The ODI cap is the biggest milestone of his cricketing life so far. Born in Punjab, the bowler is the son of Sukhbir Singh Brar, who serves as an ASI in the Punjab Police.
The Kind of Bowler He Is
Brar has climbed the domestic ladder slowly but very surely, and today he is counted among the country's brightest emerging fast bowlers. The tall right-armer has genuine pace, the ability to extract extra bounce off the pitch, and the skill to swing the ball both ways. Over the last two seasons he has become a key pillar of Punjab's red-ball attack.
A Professional Career Begun in 2022
Brar made his first-class debut in 2022 and, the very next year, turned out for Punjab Kings in the IPL in 2023. But the real turning point of his career came in the 2024-25 domestic season, when his sharp, disciplined bowling repeatedly troubled opposition batters.
In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy he was Punjab's leading wicket-taker, picking up 33 wickets in 12 matches at an excellent average of 25.66 and an economical rate of 3.43. Strikingly, 26 of those wickets came in just 7 matches, a sign of his consistent accuracy and control. The same season produced a lethal spell against Bihar, where he conceded only 14 runs while taking 5 wickets and put Punjab firmly on top of the contest.
A Long Link With Shubman Gill
Behind this success lies Brar's hard work, but also an old connection with India captain Shubman Gill. Speaking to the Times of India some time ago, Brar himself revealed how Gill had helped him push forward right from their junior cricket days. According to him, he had been bowling to Gill in the nets since their under-19 years. When Gill was playing for India's under-19 team, he also featured in some Katoch Shield matches, where he saw Brar bowl and helped him break into the state set-up. Brar then played for Mohali before being picked for Punjab's under-23 side.
Just as Dangerous With the White Ball
Brar's impact is not limited to the red ball. In the 2024 Sher-e-Punjab T20 League he put his pace on display and finished as the tournament's highest wicket-taker, claiming 22 wickets in just 11 matches at an outstanding average of 14 and an economy of 7.33. Success across formats has placed him among Punjab's most trusted bowlers.
The Road Was Not Easy
Before reaching this level of professional cricket, Brar went through plenty of struggle. In the 2019 IPL season he worked as a net bowler with Mumbai Indians, gaining the experience of bowling to top batters. He then made his List-A debut against Goa in 2022 and played his first first-class match against Railways.
Useful Runs Down the Order
Another of Brar's strengths is his ability to contribute with the bat in the lower order. In a 2023 Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir, with Punjab in trouble, he played the role of rescuer with a vital 64. He stitched a 100-run partnership with Siddharth Kaul and steered Punjab to a memorable four-wicket win.
Spotted by the IPL Franchises
IPL teams were quick to recognise his talent. In 2023, after Raj Bawa was injured, Punjab Kings brought Brar in as a replacement for 20 lakh rupees, and he made his IPL debut that same season against Lucknow Super Giants. His steady returns in domestic cricket and the IPL were rewarded at the 2025 IPL auction, where Gujarat Titans signed him with a big bid worth 1 crore 30 lakh rupees.
A New Chapter Begins
After consistently impressing on the domestic circuit and in the IPL, Brar earned a place in the 'India A' side, and strong performances there finally took him to the door of the senior India team. The ODI series against Afghanistan at Dharamshala marks the beginning of an entirely new chapter for this young fast bowler.
