Gurnoor Brar's 10-wicket-haul routs Sri Lanka A. Should India hand him a Test debut?
Fast bowler Gurnoor Brar ripped through Sri Lanka A in the second and final unofficial Test of the tour. India No.3, Sai Sudharsan, playing as an opener in the series, scored twin centuries as well.
Gurnoor Brar continued to repay the trust of the selectors 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 bowled India to victory in Galle, registering his maiden 10-wicket match haul in red-ball cricket.
The tall fast bowler, who impressed on his India debut against Afghanistan, ran through the Sri Lanka A batting unit to hand India a commanding 10-wicket victory. Gurnoor picked up six wickets in 13 overs in the second innings. Earlier, he had claimed four wickets after bowling 22 overs in the first innings of the match.
With his ability to extract bounce and seam at high pace, Gurnoor was fast-tracked into 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 of the series.
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 finest performance of his first-class career as India A sealed a comfortable 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka A in the second unofficial Test in Galle, sealing the two-match series 1-0.
The right-arm seamer ripped through Sri Lanka A's batting unit to finish with a match haul of 10 for 145. Chasing a token target of 33, India A reached the finish line in just 6.2 overs to cap off a successful tour that also saw them lift the 50-over tri-series title.
Resuming the day on 541 for 8 after building a commanding first-innings lead, India A added only one run before their innings ended at 542. Yash Thakur fell to left-arm spinner Keshara Nuwantha, who completed a five-wicket haul. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had retired hurt on the third day, did not return to bat.
GURNOOR BRAR RIPS THROUGH SRI LANKA A
Trailing by 177 runs, Sri Lanka A needed a strong start to stay alive in the contest, but Brar had other ideas. The pacer tore through the top order as Sri Lanka A slumped to 49 for 4 within the first 11 overs. Captain Sahan Arachchige, who had scored a century in the first innings, was among the early casualties.
The hosts found hope through Ashen Bandara, who launched a spirited counterattack with an entertaining 87 off just 86 deliveries, smashing 11 fours and two sixes while adding 70 runs with Anjala Bandara.
Brar returned at the crucial moment to extinguish that resistance. He dismissed Anjala Bandara before removing Ashen Bandara soon after, leaving Sri Lanka A reeling at 141 for 6.
The lower order, led by Nuwantha (26), Dilum Sudeera (21) and Asanka Manoj (12 not out), managed to inch Sri Lanka A into a slender lead, but the effort proved insufficient. Brar completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Sudeera before wrapping up the innings with the wicket of Dulaj Samuditha. Saransh Jain chipped in with two wickets as Sri Lanka A were bowled out for 209.
Set just 33 to win, India A made light work of the chase. B Sai Sudharsan, who had starred with a commanding 168 in the first innings, and Aman Mokhade knocked off the required runs without losing a wicket to seal victory.
Earlier in the first unofficial Test, Sudharsan had set the tone with a starring hundred in the first innings. The runs from Sudharsan's bat come at a crucial time as he looks to cement his place at No. 3 in the Indian Test team.
While the centuries will help Sudharsan's case, the 10-wicket haul should put Gurnoor in a prime position for a Test debut in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. The comprehensive win also capped off an impressive tour for India A, who finished victorious in both formats after earlier winning the one-day tri-series featuring Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A.
Brar's breakout 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.
Gurnoor Brar continued to repay the trust of the selectors 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 bowled India to victory in Galle, registering his maiden 10-wicket match haul in red-ball cricket.
The tall fast bowler, who impressed on his India debut against Afghanistan, ran through the Sri Lanka A batting unit to hand India a commanding 10-wicket victory. Gurnoor picked up six wickets in 13 overs in the second innings. Earlier, he had claimed four wickets after bowling 22 overs in the first innings of the match.
With his ability to extract bounce and seam at high pace, Gurnoor was fast-tracked into 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 of the series.
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 finest performance of his first-class career as India A sealed a comfortable 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka A in the second unofficial Test in Galle, sealing the two-match series 1-0.
The right-arm seamer ripped through Sri Lanka A's batting unit to finish with a match haul of 10 for 145. Chasing a token target of 33, India A reached the finish line in just 6.2 overs to cap off a successful tour that also saw them lift the 50-over tri-series title.
Resuming the day on 541 for 8 after building a commanding first-innings lead, India A added only one run before their innings ended at 542. Yash Thakur fell to left-arm spinner Keshara Nuwantha, who completed a five-wicket haul. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had retired hurt on the third day, did not return to bat.
GURNOOR BRAR RIPS THROUGH SRI LANKA A
Trailing by 177 runs, Sri Lanka A needed a strong start to stay alive in the contest, but Brar had other ideas. The pacer tore through the top order as Sri Lanka A slumped to 49 for 4 within the first 11 overs. Captain Sahan Arachchige, who had scored a century in the first innings, was among the early casualties.
The hosts found hope through Ashen Bandara, who launched a spirited counterattack with an entertaining 87 off just 86 deliveries, smashing 11 fours and two sixes while adding 70 runs with Anjala Bandara.
Brar returned at the crucial moment to extinguish that resistance. He dismissed Anjala Bandara before removing Ashen Bandara soon after, leaving Sri Lanka A reeling at 141 for 6.
The lower order, led by Nuwantha (26), Dilum Sudeera (21) and Asanka Manoj (12 not out), managed to inch Sri Lanka A into a slender lead, but the effort proved insufficient. Brar completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Sudeera before wrapping up the innings with the wicket of Dulaj Samuditha. Saransh Jain chipped in with two wickets as Sri Lanka A were bowled out for 209.
Set just 33 to win, India A made light work of the chase. B Sai Sudharsan, who had starred with a commanding 168 in the first innings, and Aman Mokhade knocked off the required runs without losing a wicket to seal victory.
Earlier in the first unofficial Test, Sudharsan had set the tone with a starring hundred in the first innings. The runs from Sudharsan's bat come at a crucial time as he looks to cement his place at No. 3 in the Indian Test team.
While the centuries will help Sudharsan's case, the 10-wicket haul should put Gurnoor in a prime position for a Test debut in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. The comprehensive win also capped off an impressive tour for India A, who finished victorious in both formats after earlier winning the one-day tri-series featuring Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A.
Brar's breakout 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.
