IPL 2024: Who is Harpreet Brar? - Everything You Need to Know About Punjab Kings' star spinner

Harpreet Brar joined the Punjab Kings in 2019, but it took two years for the franchise to showcase his spin magic to the world. Brar didn't get much of a chance in the first two seasons, in fact, he only played three games in those two years. The left-arm spinner remained wicketless and did not make much of an impact with the bat either.

Harpreet Brar looked set to warm the bench next season as well, but luckily, he was named in the XI halfway through the tournament. Match no. 26 of the 2021 IPL made the world witness one of the finest performances by a spinner in the history of the league and PBKS realized that they have been hiding a gem for the past two years. 

Brar was picked to bowl against a dangerous line-up that featured the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell. However, in the very first match of the season, he showcased his prowess by sending the aforementioned three pillars of RCB's batting unit into the hut.

He dismissed Kohli and Maxwell in successive deliveries before accounting for de Villiers in his next over. He became the first player to dismiss the blockbuster 'KGF' in the same game and sent shockwaves through the rest of the series. Brar also chipped in with some impactful cameos, making him a valuable asset to the franchise from a long-term perspective.

Harpreet Brar: From Moga to IPL Stardom - A spinner's spectacular Journey

Fast forward to the 2024 IPL, the second match of the 17th edition, Brar displayed similar heroics with his spin wizardry. The opponents were the same, but instead of the big man ABD, RCB had the likes of Du Plessis, Cameron Green and Rajat Patidar in their ranks. PBKS set a target of 177 runs and Kohli got off to a blazing start at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Patidar and the former RCB skipper looked set to take the game away from the visitors, but Brar had some other plans. The southpaw got rid of Patidar in his second over and his very next over, he sent Maxwell packing for just three runs. Suddenly PBKS sniffed a comeback as Brar kept them in the hunt with a brilliant figure of 13/2 in four overs. Unfortunately, Punjab lost the match but Brar won hearts with his outstanding bowling display. 

Hailing from Moga, Punjab, Harpreet Brar didn’t have the financial backing to pursue his passion for cricket. He became fascinated with the game after witnessing Yuvraj Singh hit six sixes off Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup. It was another former Indian cricketer Gurkeerat Singh Maan who helped the then-budding superstar to get into the space by lending his bat and old cricket gear.

An interesting tale about Brar's journey, he packed his bags and was preparing to immigrate to Canada to start a new life. However, the fate of the Punjabi was what he is doing now in the world's biggest cricket league. He participated in four trials and kept knocking on the doors of the Punjab franchise, which finally opened in 2019. All his hard work, determination and passion are paying off now and he is showing signs of being a trump card for the franchise in the future.