Gurnoor Brar to miss IND vs NZ 5th ODI to train with Test squad

According to a report in the Times of India, the team management is considering releasing Brar before the fifth ODI, though a final call will only be made after the fourth match at Mount Maunganui.

"The Indian team management is contemplating releasing Gurnoor Brar from the ODI squad," the report stated. "Brar could be released after the fourth ODI, with a final decision expected after Friday's fixture in Tauranga."

The reasoning behind the move is to help prepare for New Zealand's tall fast bowlers. The 6-foot-5-inch Brar would be asked to help the Test contingent prepare. "With New Zealand having tall bowlers in their squad, the management is keen to have Brar with the Test squad in Wellington," the report added.

Not a Test regular, but Gurnoor Brar has been a gun in ODIs

Brar has been the most impressive bowler across both teams after the first three ODIs, taking seven wickets in two outings at a strike rate of 16.57. He also won Player of the Match in the second ODI at Wellington.

With Prasidh Krishna in the Test squad, the national selectors picked only one tall fast bowler, alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj.

Even so, Brar has been a standout performer for India in his limited ODI appearances, picking up 21 wickets in 11 matches at a strike rate of 28.67. If he keeps impressing like this, the speedster could be on the plane to South Africa for the 2027 ODI World Cup.