Knew that the selectors were closely watching: Gurnoor Brar

Gurnoor Brar came to know of India’s squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan just like the vast majority: via the BCCI’s social media post a little after 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Never mind that Gurnoor was one of the 15 members chosen for the red-ball assignment in New Chandigarh.

Following his maiden Test call-up, there were no imminent plans for a grand celebration on his part.

“I’m just about to head out for training with Gujarat Titans,” the right-arm pacer from Punjab told The Hindu over the phone with a chuckle.

The 25-year-old, who stands at an imposing 6’5”, has been rewarded for possessing attributes that appear ideal for the classical version. Having been involved in the India-A set-up since September 2025, Gurnoor, whose First Class record reads 52 wickets in 18 appearances, sensed he was on the radar of the national selectors.

“I knew the selectors were closely watching. It was in my mind that I could get a chance,” he revealed.

The desire to don the whites at the highest level has spurred Gurnoor from the outset. “Playing Test cricket for India has been my biggest dream. It is a prestigious format,” he stated. “I bowl a hard length, swing the ball away and get extra bounce.”

For the past two months, Gurnoor has been warming the bench for Titans in IPL 2026. But if he feels a sense of familiarity upon joining up with the Indian team, he will have his IPL franchise to thank. Besides skipper Shubman Gill’s presence across both teams, Gurnoor can lean on the camaraderie he has built with fellow pacers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna at GT.

“I keep talking to Siraj and Prasidh. They are like big brothers,” Gurnoor said. “Siraj’s advice has been to bowl at full tilt in the nets, and analyse mistakes during the sessions”.