Chief selector Ajit Agarkar mentioned that the selection of Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav in India’s ODI squad for the series against Afghanistan was a deliberate move to test young talents in preparation for the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Prince Yadav performed exceptionally in the 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, securing 18 wickets for Delhi at an average of 19.27, making him the team’s top wicket-taker and the fifth overall in the competition.
Gurnoor, who earned a spot in the Test team for a match in New Chandigarh, showcased his skills by claiming 11 wickets in the same tournament and has been a consistent performer for India ‘A’.
With key players like Bumrah and Siraj absent due to various reasons, Gurnoor and Prince have been given a chance to prove themselves in the 50-over format, considering the upcoming World Cup in South Africa.
Agarkar emphasized the importance of trying out new talents like Gurnoor and Prince in the upcoming series to identify players who could excel in the conditions expected during the World Cup.
Harsh Dubey, a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder, has been included in both the ODI and Test squads after his impressive performances for India ‘A’ and in domestic cricket.
Agarkar highlighted the transitional phase in the Test team and the need for players like Dubey who can contribute with both bat and ball effectively.
Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will continue to gain exposure with the India A team, showcasing the selectors’ focus on nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities to showcase their potential.
