Gurnoor Brar takes 4 for 30 in Wellington ODI, breaks Zaheer Khan's record

The second one-day international between India and New Zealand was played in Wellington on Saturday, November 7. Young fast bowler Gurnoor Brar's bowling drew the most attention, with the Kiwi batters unable to cope with his pace.

Gurnoor took four wickets for just 30 runs in his spell of 10 overs. He kept the New Zealand batters under pressure from the start of the match. In the first five overs he conceded only six runs and took two wickets. In his fifth over he dismissed Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips, breaking the back of the Kiwi side. He later also sent back New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith. Gurnoor played a key role in bowling New Zealand out.

With this performance, Gurnoor now has the second-best ODI figures by an Indian fast bowler on New Zealand soil, going past bowlers such as Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh. Former Indian fast bowler Javagal Srinath tops the list, with 4/23 against New Zealand in Auckland.

The best ODI figures by Indian fast bowlers in New Zealand are: Javagal Srinath 4/23 in Auckland; Gurnoor Brar 4/30 in Wellington in 2026; Javagal Srinath 4/52 in Napier in 1995; Mohammed Shami 4/55 in Napier in 2014; and Arshdeep Singh 4/70 in Auckland in 2026.

Gurnoor also set a new record for the best ODI figures by an Indian fast bowler in Wellington. He broke the 23-year-old record of veteran Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan, who took 3 wickets for 30 runs against New Zealand in Wellington in 2003. Gurnoor has now gone past him with 4 wickets at the same ground.

Gurnoor has moved to third place in the list of the best ODI performances by Indian bowlers in New Zealand. Only Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath are ahead of him. Kumble recorded 5/33 in Wellington in 1994. Kuldeep Yadav's 4/39 in Napier in 2019 is also on the list.