India are set to begin their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka on August 15 in Galle, with former Sri Lankan all-rounder Farveez Maharoof backing uncapped pacer Gurnoor Brar to provide the visitors with an X-factor. Brar, who was included in India’s squad for the Test series, made his international debut against Afghanistan in an ODI earlier this year. He has picked up 11 wickets in six innings at an average of 32.81.

The 25-year-old also boasts impressive numbers in first-class cricket, having claimed 62 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 25.24. His record includes four four-wicket hauls, two five-wicket hauls and a 10-wicket match haul.

‘He has the bounce, pace and fighting spirit’: Maharoof backs Brar

Speaking to reporters during an interaction organised by Sony Sports Network, Maharoof singled out Brar as a potential game-changer for India.

“I like Gurnoor Brar. I think he can be an X-factor. He has the bounce, pace, the fighting spirit, and he can be nasty,” Maharoof said.

Brar impressed during India’s warm-up game against Sri Lanka XI, finishing with three wickets and troubling several batters who have already featured in Test cricket.

“If you watched the warm-up match, some of the deliveries he bowled against the batters who have already played Tests, he made them quite uneasy. A couple of players also got some body blows,” Maharoof said.

The former Sri Lankan all-rounder admitted that Brar’s lack of Test experience could make his selection a gamble, but believes his ability to generate pace and bounce could make him a valuable weapon in short spells.

“If I am the think tank of India, I will be tempted to try Brar. I know he has not played red-ball cricket and has just played white-ball cricket for India, but he brings that X-factor, those short spells where you just want to break the rhythm of the batter. He can be a lethal weapon,” he added.

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Maharoof backs ‘quality player’ Shubman Gill

Maharoof also reserved praise for India captain Shubman Gill, who will lead the side in the two-Test series.

“Shubman Gill is a quality player. He is one of the best going around; his Test average this year is 70-odd. Numbers speak for themselves. The way he batted in the second innings of that warm-up match was superb. He is one of the best going around, not only in Tests, but also in all formats,” Maharoof said.

India’s squad for Sri Lanka Tests

Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi.