NZ vs IND: Ravi Shastri spots a promising signs in Gurnoor Brar's growing confidence

Gurnoor Brar's four-wicket haul against New Zealand has impressed Ravi Shastri, who sees growing confidence and a better understanding of his strengths in the young pacer. Shane Bond also praised India's inexperienced pace attack for its patience and discipline.Gurnoor Brar finished as the Player of the Match after the 2nd ODI. (Image: AFP) Wellington,Nov 7, 2026 17:00 ISTGurnoor Brar's ability to generate pace and bounce has already caught attention, but it is his growing understanding of how to use those attributes that has impressed former India head coach Ravi Shastri.The young fast bowler delivered a match-winning performance in the rain-affected second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday, returning figures of 4/30 in 10 overs, including two maidens, as India bowled out the hosts for 134. His performance helped India secure a four-run victory through the DLS method and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.NZ vs IND 2nd ODI: Highlights | ScorecardShastri, speaking on Sony Sports Network, was particularly impressed by the way Brar spoke about his bowling during the post-match presentation. The former India coach felt the pacer was beginning to understand his strengths and, more importantly, was learning not to get carried away by his own pace. "I like the way he spoke in the post-match as well. He said, I know I'm fast, I've got to use my pace to good effect. But I don't want to be carried away, I want to hit the hard lengths, which he's done here, and taken the wickets," Shastri said."When a young bowler knows what his strengths are and wants to live up to it, it's a good sign. You saw him at Eden Park. You saw him here. He's growing in confidence, and he's getting better and better."Finding the right lengths in New Zealand Brar's performance in Wellington was another indication of how effectively he has adapted to conditions outside India. The 26-year-old, who can consistently bowl in the 140-142 kmph range, enjoyed the additional bounce and pace on offer, allowing him to attack the batters with hard lengths.Speaking after collecting the Player of the Match award, Brar admitted that bowling in New Zealand had been an enjoyable experience, particularly because the conditions suited his natural game."I really enjoyed it. Bowling here in New Zealand, the bounce and the pace really helped me, so I enjoyed it," he said.The pacer also explained how his approach differed from what he generally encounters in India, where flatter surfaces often demand greater discipline in hitting hard lengths."Obviously, in India the pitches are quite flat, so we have to bowl that hard length. But here, there's that extra bounce. So I was just bowling to my strengths, and it worked."THREE DOWN. JUST 29 ON THE BOARD. India’s quicks have made the Powerplay count! Watch the HERO VIDA India Tour of New Zealand, 2nd ODI, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels, Sony Vizha & Sony LIV. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyVizha #SonyLIV #NZvIND https://t.co/9hDlNUtOLC— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) November 7, 2026Brar also spoke about the balance between aggression and control for a fast bowler operating at his pace. He believes aggression is necessary, but understanding one's limitations is equally important."If you're a fast bowler bowling at an average of 140 or 142, you have to be aggressive as well. But you have to know your limits too. I just enjoy it and keep bowling," he added.He also explained his preference for keeping his short deliveries around shoulder height rather than bowling excessively high bouncers. His intention is to make batters commit to the pull shot while keeping the ball in an uncomfortable hitting zone.Patience impresses Shane BondBrar's performance was part of a wider effort from India's inexperienced pace attack, with Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi also contributing to the bowling effort.Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond was particularly impressed by the patience shown by India's young quicks. Having spent much of their domestic cricket on relatively flat surfaces, the trio had to adapt to conditions that offered considerably more assistance.Bond felt they resisted the temptation to chase wickets and instead trusted their ability to repeatedly hit the right areas.Gurnoor Brar gets his man once again. This time, he has a little celebration to go with it! Watch the HERO VIDA India Tour of New Zealand, 2nd ODI, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels, Sony Vizha & Sony LIV. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyVizha #SonyLIV #NZvIND https://t.co/vWuFalT5Nj— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) November 7, 2026"I've really enjoyed the patience of the Indian bowling. You've got Kamboj, Nabi and Gurnoor who've been playing cricket here on flat wickets. And that's about running in and hitting the wicket consistently, and that's all they've done. They've transferred that," Bond said.He added that young bowlers can often get carried away when conditions begin to favour them, but India's attack remained disciplined and earned its breakthroughs through consistent bowling.Gill backs young bowling groupIndia captain Shubman Gill was also pleased with Brar's progress, pointing out that the pacer already possesses the attributes required to succeed at the international level."In the last match, Gurnoor bowled really well too. As he gets more experience, he'll get more consistent. He already has the pace and bounce. Most of the seamers have all the qualities. International cricket is about performing under pressure," Gill said.Glenn Phillips is the latest to fall, and Brar has every reason to celebrate! Watch the HERO VIDA India Tour of New Zealand, 2nd ODI, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels, Sony Vizha & Sony LIV. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyVizha #SonyLIV #NZvIND https://t.co/XwmQR7XE4X— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) November 7, 2026For Brar, the Wellington performance represents another step in his early international journey. Shastri's observations underline that his development is not merely about bowling faster or extracting more bounce, but about understanding when and how to use those weapons.India will hope the young pacer carries that confidence into the third ODI against New Zealand in Hamilton on November 10.- Ends