NZ vs IND: Was picking Gurnoor Brar over Auqib Nabi in India Test squad the right call?
Auqib Nabi has outperformed Gurnoor Brar in first-class cricket
India are preparing for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, which will begin on November 19 in Wellington. The series is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle, and the Indian team will be looking to start with a win.
The team has several experienced players, including Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj and KL Rahul. Rishabh Pant has also joined the squad after receiving fitness clearance.
Meanwhile, the selectors have made a change to India’s bowling department ahead of the series. Fast bowler Gurnoor Brar has been added to the Test squad, while Kuldeep Yadav has been released to play domestic cricket.
However, Brar’s selection has raised questions about another domestic fast bowler, Auqib Nabi. Looking at their first-class records, Auqib has better numbers than Brar. This raises the question of whether the selectors made the right call.
The BCCI confirmed on November 14 that Gurnoor Brar had been added to the squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand. He will join the team in Wellington but will miss the fifth and final ODI against New Zealand on November 15.
Brar has played 22 first-class matches and taken 71 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls. He has also represented India in 13 ODIs, taking 23 wickets.
Auqib Nabi has better first-class record than Gurnoor Brar
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Auqib Nabi has been performing well in domestic cricket and has better first-class numbers than Brar. According to the comparison, he has taken 180 wickets in 47 matches at an average of 19.
Here is a comparison of their first-class records:
| Stats | Auqib Nabi | Gurnoor Brar |
| Matches | 47 | 22 |
| Wickets | 180 | 71 |
| Average | 19 | 26.4 |
| Strike Rate | 39 | 43.2 |
Was Gurnoor Brar the right choice over Auqib Nabi?
Brar has the advantage of height and pace, which he already proved against New Zealand in the ongoing ODI series. His best ODI figures are 4/30, which came in the second match against New Zealand.
Based on their domestic numbers, Auqib has a stronger record, but Brar’s recent international performances may have worked in his favour.
Why was Gurnoor Brar added to India’s Test squad for the New Zealand series?
Gurnoor Brar was added to India’s squad as an additional fast-bowling option ahead of the two-match Test series.
When will the India vs New Zealand Test series begin?
The two-match Test series will begin on November 19, 2026, in Wellington.
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