Farveez Maharoof backs Gurnoor Brar as India's X-factor in Sri Lanka

Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Farveez Maharoof has backed uncapped pacer Gurnoor Brar to provide India with an X-factor in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Brar, who was included in India's squad for the Test series, made his international debut against Afghanistan in an ODI earlier this year and 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 with 62 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 25.24.

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. He acknowledged 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 valuable in short spells.

India's squad for Sri Lanka Tests includes Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi.