The Indian selectors led by Sandeep Patil threw a major surprise today when they announced that Punjab left-arm seamer Brainder Sran would be part of the Indian ODI squad for the upcoming Australia tour beginning on 12 January next year.
23-year-old pacer Brainder has so far featured in only 11 first-class games for Punjab . He made his debut against Odisha in 2011. Since then he has picked up 32 wickets at an average of 34.06. He has also played in 7 List A matches and has taken 15 wickets at an average of 26.73 and an economy of 6.31.
In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, the youngster has impressed the critics with his match winning performances where he picked up 14 wickets in six matches for Punjab that helped him get a call for national duty.
In the Ranji 2015-16 season, Sran became the 2nd highest wicket taker for Punjab after Sarabjit Ladda by picking up 18 wickets at an average of 35.66
Brainder once wanted to pursue a career in boxing, developing his skills at the country’s punching nursery – Bhiwani.
In 2010, Brainder tried his luck in cricket and participated in Kings XI Punjab’s talent hunt held in Mohali. He impressed the judges with his sharp in-swingers and terrific speed. Though he wasn’t selected to play for KXIP, Brainder had left an indelible imprint on the state-level coaches and Punjab selectors.
After that it was cricket all the way. But injuries plagued him throughout his small career.
“Had it not been for injuries that he suffered at wrong times, Brainder would have been a regular in our side. He is left-handed and brings the ball into the right-hander at decent pace. That kind of variety and potency is something our team requires. When he played for Punjab in 2011 for the first time, I was convinced that this guy has a big future ahead of him,” Punjab coach Bhupinder Singh said.
Brainder was bought by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 10 lakh at the IPL auctions earlier this year and played just one match for them.
