Gurnoor Brar 4/30: Ian Bishop Wants India to Back Pacer

Gurnoor Brar Takes Four Wickets in Wellington as Ian Bishop Calls for Long Rope

Auto Desk | Saturday, November 7, 2026, 19:24 IST

Gurnoor Brar celebrating after taking a wicket against New Zealand in Wellington.

Gurnoor Brar celebrates a wicket during the second ODI in Wellington.

Gurnoor Brar took four wickets for 30 runs in Wellington, and Ian Bishop said India should give the young fast bowler time and a long run in the side.

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Gurnoor Brar produced career-best figures to bowl New Zealand out for 134 in the second ODI, and former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop said India should back the young pacer over a long run.

Gurnoor Brar took four wickets for 30 runs in 10 overs as India bowled New Zealand out for 134 in the second ODI in Wellington. The figures were the best of his young career and earned him the Player of the Match award. Brar struck in a double-wicket over, dismissing Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips, and never let New Zealand settle. His spell broke the home innings open and set up India's four-run win on the DLS method. Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop praised the young fast bowler and said India should back him over a long run. Bishop's message was that a bowler of Brar's promise needs time and consistent chances rather than being judged on one game.

Bounce and pace in New Zealand

Brar said he enjoyed bowling in New Zealand conditions. "Really enjoyed, bowling here in NZ, the bounce and pace... In India, the pitches are flat and you have to bowl the hard length. Here there's more bounce," he said. The contrast he described is one Indian fast bowlers often note on tour. Flatter home surfaces demand discipline and a hard length, while New Zealand pitches reward pace and bounce, and Brar used both to good effect in Wellington. His four wickets came at a stage when New Zealand were trying to rebuild. Latham and Phillips are experienced batters, and removing both in one over shifted the innings firmly in India's favour.

A second strong showing in the series

New Zealand made 185 in the first ODI and only 134 in the second, and Brar has been part of an attack that has kept the hosts quiet in both matches. India lead the five-match series 2-0. The performance strengthens Brar's case for a regular place in the side. Bowlers who take wickets in bunches on overseas tours are rare, and Bishop's call for patience suggests the former pacer sees something worth investing in.

What comes next for Brar

The third ODI in Hamilton on Tuesday, 10 November, offers Brar another chance to build on the Wellington display. A second strong game would make his place in the side much harder to question. For now, the Wellington figures stand as the highlight of his career so far, and the praise from a respected former fast bowler adds weight to them.