Gurnoor Brar credits team support for match-winning New Zealand spell

India fast bowler Gurnoor Brar credited his team's backing for his match-winning spell against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.

Brar took 4/30 as New Zealand were bowled out for 134, and India won by four runs under the DLS method to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Brar said the team's positive environment and steady support from the coaching staff and captain Shubman Gill had helped him.

He said learning from difficult outings and working alongside senior players had been vital to his development.

Brar said open nets with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma gave him a lot of input, and that Gill also guided him.

He said his matches in Guwahati and Lord's had been demotivating, but it was important to learn from those experiences.

Brar said bowling coach Morne Morkel had helped him understand how to use his natural attributes, particularly his height.

He said Morkel regularly advises him on which lengths suit specific pitches, given his height and a bowling style similar to Morkel's.

Brar said Gill backed everyone equally and focused the squad on process over results.

“Nobody is judged here based on a single performance,” Brar said.

He said the management encouraged him to bowl without fear of being hit in overseas conditions, as it had done in India.

“Backing is the most important thing for every player, and everyone is getting that backing here,” he said.

The series now moves to Hamilton, and the fourth ODI is scheduled for Nov. 13 at Mount Maunganui.

Brar said the team's ultimate goal is to win the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, but he personally takes it match by match.

The first ODI was played in Auckland on Nov. 4, where India won by five wickets under the DLS method.