IND vs AFG 2026: R Ashwin praises selectors after Gurnoor Brar's stellar debut

Former Indian all-rounder R Ashwin has hailed the BCCI selection committee for their selection and backing of Gurnoor Brar after the Punjab seamer’s impressive debut in the first ODI against Afghanistan on June 13 in Dharamshala.

In a rain-affected game reduced to 25 overs, Brar bowled at high pace, clocking over 145 kmph regularly. He finished with figures of 3 for 27 and picked up his first wicket with just his fifth ball in international cricket. Ashwin elaborated that Brar is skilled with multiple facets of bowling, and his age adds a further upside.

"Gurnoor Brar, we have to say that he is really impressive. He is tall, and it seems like he is quite strong too. He bowled every ball over 145 kmph. There is a massive upside. The skill, action, and swing he gets with the new ball, there is a lot of upside with him. He can bowl even faster, he is young," R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Eyebrows were raised when the 26-year-old Brar was added to the Test and ODI squad ahead of Jammu and Kashmir stra pacer Auqib Nabi, who has been one of the best seam bowlers in the domestic circuit. Ashwin backed the selectors’ intuition in identifying Brar as a potential prospect and hailed the bowler as a potential star for India. 

"When the selectors chose Gurnoor Brar, and not Auqib Nabi, many people talked about it. I think it was a very good spot. This is not a comparison between them, but the selectors and the coaches who saw Gurnoor, they have to be praised, that is a really good eye. If he stays fit, and does all the right things, he can become a really big bowler for India in the future, he added.

Ashwin further showered praise on Harsh Dubey, who was also making his debut in the game. The Vidarbha left-arm spinner was taken to the cleaners early by centurion Rahmanullah Gurbaz but made a brilliant comeback to finish with figures of 3 for 47.

"I know Harsh Dubey very well, there was no doubt in my mind that he would be a good player. He always fights, never backs down from a contest. He proved to be a little expensive, but the way he made a comeback, that is Harsh Dubey for you. He can also bat very well," Ashwin said.

India took a 1-0 lead in the series with skipper Shubman Gill scoring an unbeaten 84 to help chase down a total of 195. The second ODI will be played at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium on Wednesday, June 17.