The North Zone squad has included Gurnoor Brar for the upcoming Duleep Trophy semi-final against South Zone. This match is set to take place in Bengaluru, commencing on Sunday at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Brar, a seamer from Punjab, is anticipated to seize this chance to strengthen his claim for selection in India’s Test team.

Brar has recently arrived in Bengaluru following his inclusion in India’s Test squad during the series against Sri Lanka, where India triumphed with a 1-0 victory. At just 23 years old, the selectors believe that additional first-class experience is essential for Brar ahead of India’s next Test encounter in New Zealand scheduled for November.

Despite being named in India’s last two Test squads, Brar is still awaiting his debut. His recent performances have bolstered his suitability for the national team. In July, during India A’s shadow tour to Sri Lanka, he achieved notable figures, taking 10 wickets for 145 runs in the second unofficial Test.

To date, Brar has accumulated 62 wickets from 19 first-class matches at an impressive average of 25.24. He has also made his international debut in One Day Internationals (ODIs) this year, playing against Afghanistan in June and participating in the entire ODI series in England. Across six ODIs, he has secured 11 wickets at an average of 32.81.

Auqib Nabi Explores County Cricket Options

Auqib Nabi, a fast bowler from Jammu & Kashmir, is reportedly considering a short stint in the English county circuit. However, his plans hinge on the timely clearance of his visa. The selectors see this as an opportunity to provide Nabi with necessary exposure to conditions conducive to fast bowlers.

While the selectors would prefer Nabi to engage in county cricket over participating in the Duleep Trophy, his potential is well recognised. Nabi had an outstanding performance during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, where he finished with an impressive tally of 60 wickets at an average of 12.56 for Jammu & Kashmir.

Although he was not selected for India’s Test tour of Sri Lanka, he remains a strong candidate for the upcoming series in New Zealand. His ability to effectively move the new ball has been identified as a significant asset. However, if his county opportunity does not materialise, Nabi is poised to join India A for their next match.

Upcoming Matches and Selection Challenges

Nabi’s next assignment will likely be with India A, where he could participate in their opening match against Australia in Puducherry on September 22. Following this, he is expected to team up with Jammu & Kashmir for the Irani Cup against Rest of India, scheduled to occur in Srinagar from October 1 to 5.

The overlap of India A’s second match against Australia with the Irani Cup raises potential selection dilemmas for the selectors. Although the scheduling conflicts are recognised, changes to the fixture timetable are not anticipated at this stage.

As preparations continue for both the Duleep Trophy semi-final and upcoming assignments for India A, the performance of players like Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi could prove pivotal in influencing future selections for the national team. The ensuing weeks will be crucial for both players as they aim to solidify their positions within the competitive landscape of Indian cricket.

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