Gurnoor could be India's X-factor in Bumrah's absence vs Sri Lanka: Maharoof

Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Farveez Maharoof believes rookie pacer Gurnoor Brar could provide India with the X-factor in Jasprit Bumrah's absence and said he would be tempted to hand the 26-year-old his Test debut in the two-match series against Sri Lanka.Farveez Maharoof backs Gurnoor Brar to make a difference for India against Sri Lanka (PTI Photo)Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Farveez Maharoof believes rookie pacer Gurnoor Brar could be India's X-factor in Jasprit Bumrah's absence. Maharoof said he would be tempted to hand the 26-year-old his Test debut in the two-match series against Sri Lanka, beginning in Galle on Saturday.India will be without Bumrah when they return to Test cricket following their home series defeat to South Africa. Mohammed Siraj is expected to lead the pace attack, with Brar competing with Prasidh Krishna for a place in the XI."The ability to reverse-swing the ball, especially with the older ball, is something Bumrah brings, and that is going to be a massive miss for India," Maharoof said in a virtual media interaction organised by Sony Sports Network in response to a PTI query."That is where I think they could lack some wicket-taking ability. Mohammed Siraj is a good bowler, with all due respect to him, but when you compare the two fast bowlers, there is a bit of a difference." Maharoof was impressed by Brar during India's warm-up game, where the tall Punjab pacer troubled several batters with his pace and bounce."I really like Gurnoor Brar. I think he can be the X-factor. He has the bounce, the pace and the fighting spirit. He can be nasty," he said. "If I were in the Indian think tank, I would be tempted to give Gurnoor a go. I know he has only played white-ball cricket for India, but he brings that X-factor. In short, burst spells, when you want to break a batter's rhythm, he can be a lethal weapon."Brar has played only a handful of first-class matches but was picked in India's Test squad. He has taken 11 wickets in six ODIs and claimed a 10-wicket haul for India A in Galle last month.Maharoof also feels Manav Suthar could get the nod as India's third spinner alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav.Suthar took seven wickets on his debut against Afghanistan, while uncapped off-spinner Saransh Jain impressed on India A's tour of Sri Lanka with seven wickets and an unbeaten 70."I see three spinners for India. Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and either Suthar or Jain," Maharoof said."Ideally, you would like an off-spinner for variation, but I would not be surprised if Manav Suthar plays because his ability to get bounce off the surface could be very handy in Galle."'SL SHOULD WORRY ABOUT PANT'Maharoof also backed Rishabh Pant to trouble Sri Lanka despite scoring 2 and 28 in India's warm-up win over Sri Lanka Cricket XI."If I were in the Sri Lankan dressing room, I would be very worried about Rishabh Pant. He is a player who, within half an hour or 45 minutes, can completely change the game," he said."He has that X-factor and has been given the licence to play his natural game."Maharoof expects a closely fought series and predicted a 1-1 draw, with Prabath Jayasuriya likely to be Sri Lanka's key weapon in Galle."The biggest challenge for Indian batters will certainly be the spinners. I certainly feel Prabath Jayasuriya will be the biggest challenge for the Indian batters," he said."He knows how to bowl with the wind, and the wind is going to be a major factor in Galle because of the drift the spinners can generate."The India tour of Sri Lanka will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV.- EndsPublished By: Saurabh KumarPublished On: Aug 11, 2026 16:26 IST