Aakash Chopra has said that New Zealand are facing difficulties in front of Gurnoor Brar in the ongoing five-match ODI series. Chopra mentioned that Brar’s deliveries are finishing in an area where the Kiwis are not comfortable playing.

Brar registered figures of 4-30 in 10 overs of the second ODI in Wellington. The visitors secured a 4-run win on the basis of the DLS method. The hosts were dismissed for 134, with Daryl Mitchell scoring a half-century.

“Gurnoor Brar is the last Indian bowler to be introduced when the team plays four pacers. It is good that you have two new balls available in the fifty-over format. He hits the deck hard from a decent height. The point of release is high. He got rid of Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips with short balls,” Aakash Chopra said on Cricinfo.

“When you look at it from the batter’s point of view, it feels they are not expecting the ball to finish where it is finishing, making them uncomfortable. The length is testing the Kiwi batters, who are unable to score off his deliveries.

Brar also took the wickets of Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith in the second ODI.

Aakash Chopra opines on Gurnoor Brar’s chance of playing in the 2027 World Cup

The selection panel might want to look at Gurnoor Brar for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Chopra said that the fast bowler has done his chances no harm, but it is going to be tough.

“He has been impressive, but you have to remember that Prasidh Krishna is one of the contenders as well.

“When I look at the combinations, Arshdeep Singh will be preferred because he is a left-arm seamer. Jasprit Bumrah has to be there. We should also talk about Mohammed Siraj. Harshit Rana and Anshul Kamboj are also there. It is a crowded lane, but he is part of that crowd. World Cup is still away, but he is making the right noises,” he concluded.

India are leading the series 2-0, and the two teams will now meet in the third ODI at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 10.