New faces ready to shine for India in Test arena
A closer look at the three uncapped players named in India’s Test squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan.
With opportunities opening up in India’s Test setup, the upcoming series against Afghanistan could mark the beginning of exciting journeys for three uncapped names in the squad – Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey.
With the focus on players capable of contributing in multiple facets of the game, all three arrive with strong domestic cricket credentials and unique skill sets that have steadily pushed them onto the national radar.
Gurnoor Brar
Standing at 6’5”, Gurnoor Brar offers something Indian cricket has often searched for: a tall fast bowler capable of generating steep bounce and hitting the deck hard. The Punjab pacer has only one Indian Premier League appearance to his name so far, but his rise has largely come through consistent performances in domestic cricket and his India A appearances.
Brar’s journey has seen him rise through setbacks. After being part of the Punjab Kings setup, a serious back injury ruled him out for the entirety of the 2023-24 season. A move to the Gujarat Titans setup as a net bowler, with the backing of skipper Shubman Gill, helped him work his way back into contention.
The 25-year-old impressed during the unofficial Test series between India A and Australia A last year, where he finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker with eight scalps from two matches. Across 18 first-class games, he has claimed 52 wickets at an average of 27.30.
India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar highlighted Brar’s promise, saying, “With Gurnoor, we have seen a lot of promise over the last season-and-a-half. He is a tall guy with a bit of pace. Keeping the South Africa (2027 Cricket) World Cup in mind, we are obviously going to try a few guys who at that point might be useful if they keep developing.”
Manav Suthar
Left-arm spinning all-rounder Manav Suthar has quietly built a reputation as a prolific feature in India's domestic circuit. Representing Rajasthan, Suthar enjoyed another impressive Ranji Trophy campaign, including match figures of 8 for 42 against Chhattisgarh and an all-round performance featuring a century and seven wickets against Himachal Pradesh.
The 23-year-old also shone for India A against Australia A last year, picking up eight wickets in the second unofficial Test. His left-arm spin, ability to extract drift and control over variations have earned him praise from within Indian cricket circles.
Suthar’s all-round ability further strengthens his case. He has scored 945 first-class runs with a century and six fifties, while also maintaining strong numbers in white-ball cricket. Ever since being invited to India’s preparatory camp ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, he has remained firmly in the selectors’ plans.
Harsh Dubey
Few domestic seasons in recent memory have been as dominant as Harsh Dubey’s 2024-25 Ranji Trophy campaign. The Vidarbha all-rounder picked up a staggering 69 wickets in just 10 matches — equalling a record count in a single season of the Ranji Trophy.
Dubey’s impact extended beyond the ball. Time and again, he rescued Vidarbha with crucial lower-order runs, including twin fifties against Hyderabad when his side had collapsed to 70 for 7. His performances culminated in a Player of the Tournament award as Vidarbha lifted the Ranji Trophy title.
The left-arm spinner also enjoyed a promising introduction to the IPL with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he picked up key wickets, including that of Virat Kohli. Across 27 first-class matches, Dubey has already collected 133 wickets to go with more than 1000 runs.
Dubey has also been impressive in the ongoing edition of IPL, picking up 8 wickets in as many games, with the best returns of 3/12.
Speaking on his selection, Agarkar mentioned, "That is the role we are looking at anyway.”
“We want guys who can contribute with the bat down the order but also have the necessary skill to be a front-line spin or a front-line seam bowler.
"We think he certainly fits the bill. We are hopeful that when he gets that opportunity, he shows what he can do. We have seen enough over the last couple of years, maybe a little bit more. He seems to have the necessary skill to succeed at this level."
India will play in a one-off Test against Afghanistan starting June 6.