The Instagram Post That Started It All
Back in February 2022, Harpreet Brar shared a special moment on Instagram with the caption "Catch the opportunity." The photograph featured none other than Virat Kohli watching Brar take a catch from close range during an ODI series against West Indies, where Brar was serving as a net bowler.
The Long Road to Red-Ball Recognition
Despite establishing himself as a reliable performer in white-ball cricket and for Punjab Kings in the IPL, Brar faced consistent disappointment in red-ball cricket. The left-arm spinner had two significant stints as a net bowler with the Indian team - first during the Asia Cup in 2021 and later during the home series against West Indies in 2022.
It was during these sessions that head coach Rahul Dravid noticed his potential and posed a crucial question. "Dravid sir asked me why I hadn't played Ranji for Punjab yet. I had no specific answer back then," Brar revealed to TimesofIndia.com. "Yes, I was hurt about not getting a chance. But once I went back to the team hotel, I realized, 'Oh, he thinks I'm good enough,' and his words motivated me."
Jadeja's Wisdom Changes Everything
Earlier this year, while playing in the Birmingham Premier League, Brar seized an unexpected opportunity. As Team India trained at Edgbaston ahead of the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Brar exchanged texts with India captain Shubman Gill and asked if he could drop by to bowl at India's nets.
"I asked Shubman, 'Yaar, mai aa sakta hun?' Shubman invited me. I bowled 15-20 overs to them," Brar recalled. This session proved transformative when he got to speak with Ravindra Jadeja, who expressed surprise that Brar hadn't made his first-class debut yet.
"I told Jaddu bhai that I want to play for India. His response was: 'You have to play red-ball cricket for Punjab. You're a good bowler. There aren't many good left-arm spinners. There's Sai Kishore, Harsh Dubey, Manav Suthar and you. Mere baad pata nahi kiski kismet ghoom jaaye,'" Brar shared.
Jadeja's words became the catalyst Brar needed. "I thought, if India's best spinner believes in me and hasn't given up on me, how can I?" he said.
The Breakthrough Finally Arrives
After his Birmingham stint, Brar returned to Mohali with renewed determination. He played in the Katoch Shield, Punjab's inter-district tournament, and delivered an outstanding performance, taking 24 wickets in just three matches. This remarkable achievement finally caught the selectors' attention.
"I was the second choice. They wanted to try a youngster, and after three matches, I got my chance," Brar explained about his selection. In Punjab's eight-wicket win over Chandigarh, the 30-year-old made his long-awaited first-class debut, picking up six wickets in the match.
The journey to this point spanned seven challenging years. Back in 2017-18, Brar had taken 57 wickets to help Punjab win the Col CK Nayudu Trophy, but since then, he hadn't played red-ball cricket. Before that achievement, he last represented Punjab in the U-16s in 2010-11, creating another seven-year gap in his development.
Overcoming Frustration and Doubt
The path wasn't always clear for Brar. In 2017, overwhelmed by frustration and hopelessness, he seriously considered moving to Canada. "Paaji, poora Punjab hi Canada jaana chahta hai," he laughed while recalling that difficult period.
"There was too much frustration. I'd almost given up, but destiny had something else in store for me," he added. His career reached a particularly low point in 2016 when Ropar, the team he played for in the Katoch Shield, was relegated to the minor districts. He believed his career was over until former Punjab captain Gurkeerat Singh Mann called and offered him a chance to play for Mohali.
That phone call gave Brar a new lease on life. He earned selection for Punjab U-23 at age 23, secured an IPL contract, and delivered some memorable performances, including his famous spell against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2021 where he dismissed Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and AB de Villiers in quick succession.
Mentorship and Future Aspirations
Returning to red-ball cricket after seven years made Brar understandably nervous. He turned to his mentor, former India cricketer Sunil Joshi, who has worked extensively with him over the past three years during his stint with PBKS.
"I was nervous. I called Sunil Joshi sir and told him the wicket is very flat. I didn't think I'd get any turn," Brar admitted. Joshi advised him to target the stumps and use his 6-foot-3 frame to advantage by varying his pace effectively and maintaining consistent attack.
"It worked for me, and I'll never forget my first wicket off Raj Bawa. Oh, the joy, I can't explain," said an emotional Brar.
At 30, Brar has achieved what few Indian cricketers manage - making a first-class debut this late in his career. The road ahead remains challenging in a country overflowing with young talent, but Brar, who recently released his song 'Alpha' reflecting his hustle and ownership of his journey, remains undaunted.
"Paaji, I'm just getting started," he declared, proving that he's only catching up on lost time and determined to make every opportunity count from here on.
