Brar credits team support for match-winning spell against NZ

The pacer produced figures of 4/30 to set up India's narrow win in the second ODI against New Zealand.

7 November, 2026

India fast bowler Gurnoor Brar credited the team's positive environment and consistent backing from the coaching staff and captain Shubman Gill following his Player of the Match performance in the second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington.

The tall pacer registered figures of 4/30 to help bowl New Zealand out for 134, paving the way for India's four-run victory via the DLS method and taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

View this post on Instagram

Speaking after the match, Brar emphasised that learning from difficult outings and working alongside senior players has been vital to his development.

"I had open nets with Virat and Rohit bhai, and they gave me a lot of inputs. Shubman also guided me," Brar said said after the game.

"Matches in Guwahati and Lord's were demotivating, but it was important to learn from those experiences," he added.

The pacer revealed that working with bowling coach Morne Morkel has given him clear clarity on exploiting his natural attributes, particularly his height.

"Morne Morkel teaches us a lot. Because of my height and a bowling style very similar to his, he constantly guides me on which lengths suit us best on specific pitches," Brar explained.

"That dialogue is continuous."

The pacer also praised captain Shubman Gill for instilling confidence across the squad and fostering an environment focused on process over results.

“He backs everyone the same way. Nobody is judged here based on a single performance. What matters is the effort you put in, the direction of your training, and how you look to improve," Brar said.

"Shubman is like that himself. He has a huge hunger to keep getting better and provide the best for the team. He constantly discusses his plans with us, and we keep moving forward together," he added.

View this post on Instagram

Reflecting on the tactical shift required when playing in overseas conditions, Brar noted that the team management encouraged him to bowl without fear of getting hit.

“Backing is the most important thing for every player, and everyone is getting that backing here; the environment is very positive," he said.

"In India, on flat tracks, we were bowling similarly anyway, but of course, even there we need to execute well.

“Even then, they backed us and told us, ‘The more consistently you hit the right lengths, the better your results will be.’ Coming here to New Zealand, they said the exact same thing: ‘Back your strengths and just bowl that ball. Whether it gets hit for a four or a six doesn’t matter to me; just bowl freely.’ That’s what I’m doing, and the results are showing.”

With the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in sight, Brar remains focused on maintaining a game-by-game mindset as the series moves to Hamilton.

"And regarding the World Cup, the ultimate goal is to win it, so that is naturally in the back of our minds. But personally, I take it match by match and focus on how to perform better in the next game,"

"Heading to Hamilton, my focus will simply be on correcting any mistakes from today. Having that long-term goal is there, but executing game by game is the priority," Brar concluded.