Gurnoor Brar with 10-wicket haul in Sri Lanka A. Should India hand him Test debut?

Gurnoor Brar continued to repay the selectors’ faith with a career-best 10-wicket haul in first-class cricket. Playing in the second unofficial Test between India A and Sri Lanka A, Gurnoor led India to victory in Galle and registered his first 10-wicket haul in red-ball cricket.

The tall fast bowler, who impressed on his India debut against Afghanistan, ran through the Sri Lanka A batting line-up to hand India a commanding 10-wicket win. Gurnoor picked up six wickets in 13 overs in the second innings. Earlier, he claimed four wickets after bowling 22 overs in the first innings of the match.

Due to his ability to extract bounces and seams at high pace, Gurnoor was quickly included in the Indian team by Ajit Agarkar’s selection committee. Playing all three ODIs against Afghanistan, Gurnoor impressed with six wickets as India completed a clean sweep.

After an impressive ODI outing, Gurnoor was sent to Sri Lanka for the India A tour ahead of India’s two-match Test series on the island.

Gurnoor Brar produced the best performance of his first-class career as India A sealed a comfortable 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka A in the second unofficial Test in Galle to wrap up the two-match series 1-0.

The right-arm seamer tore through Sri Lanka A’s batting line-up to finish the match with 10 for 145. Chasing a target of 33, India A reached the finish line in just 6.2 overs to complete a successful tour that also saw them lift the 50-over tri-series title.

India A resumed the day on 541 for 8 after building a commanding lead in the first innings, adding just one run before their innings ended on 542. Yash Thakur fell to the left arm of Keshar Nuwanth to complete the five-wicket haul. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was injured on the third day, did not return to bat.

GURNOOR BRAR RULES SRI LANKA A

Sri Lanka A needed a strong start to stay alive in the contest, but Brar had other ideas. The pacer broke through the top order as Sri Lanka A slumped to 49 for 4 in the first 11 overs. Among the first victims was captain Sahan Arachchige, who scored a hundred in the first innings.

The hosts found hope in Ashen Bandara, who launched a spirited counter-attack with an entertaining 87 off just 86 deliveries, smashing 11 fours and two sixes and adding 70 runs with Anjala Bandara.

Brar returned at the crucial moment to quell the resistance. He dismissed Anjala Bandara before removing Ashen Bandara soon after, leaving Sri Lanka A cruising to 141 for 6.

The lower order led by Nuwantha (26), Dilum Sudeera (21) and Asanka Manoj (12 not out) managed to take Sri Lanka A to a slim lead but the effort proved insufficient. Brar completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Sudeera before ending the innings with the wicket of Dulaj Samudithy. Saransh Jain took two wickets as Sri Lanka A were bowled out for 209.

Set for just 33 to win, India A eased the chase. B Sai Sudharsan, who scored an impressive 168 in the first innings, and Aman Mokhade knocked down the required runs without losing a wicket to seal the win.

Earlier in the first unofficial Test, Sudharsan set the tone with a hundred in the first innings. Sudharsan’s run with the bat comes at a crucial time as he looks to cement his place at No.3 in India’s Test team.

While the centuries will help Sudharsan’s case, the 10-wicket haul should put Gurnoor in prime position to make his Test debut in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. The comprehensive victory also capped off an impressive tour for India A, who finished victorious in both formats after earlier winning the one-day tri-series with Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A.

Brar’s breakthrough performance with the ball will be one of the biggest positives for the visitors, while Sudharsan continued to underline his credentials with another substantial contribution at the top of the order.

– The end

Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

05 Jul 2026 16:38 IST