Harpreet Brar
Role: Bowler (Left-arm orthodox)
DOB: 16 September 1995
IPL Team (2026): Punjab Kings
Base Price: ₹3.8 Crore (2022 Auction)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 46 | 15 | 7 | 95 | 25* | 11.87 | 83 | 114.45 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 10 |
| 2024 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 7* | 13.00 | 10 | 130.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2023 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 25 | 17* | 8.33 | 19 | 131.57 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 2022 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 41 | 25* | 13.66 | 36 | 113.88 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 2021 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 13* | 16.00 | 16 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 46 | 820 | 1045 | 35 | 3/19 | 29.85 | 7.63 | 23.42 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 11 | 222 | 262 | 10 | 2/17 | 26.20 | 7.08 | 22.20 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 264 | 318 | 9 | 3/31 | 35.33 | 7.22 | 29.33 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 | 222 | 297 | 4 | 1/13 | 74.25 | 8.02 | 55.50 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 7 | 108 | 133 | 5 | 3/19 | 26.60 | 7.38 | 21.60 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 2 | 24 | 35 | 0 | 0/17 | – | 8.75 | – | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Harpreet Brar
Hailing from Moga, Punjab, Harpreet Brar’s journey to the IPL is a testament to perseverance and the quiet power of left-arm orthodox spin. Unlike many who burst onto the scene with express pace or flamboyant hitting, Brar carved his niche with control, subtle variations, and an uncanny ability to tie down batsmen. His early cricketing years were spent honing his craft in local tournaments, dreaming of the big stage. It was his consistent performances in domestic cricket, particularly his tight economy and knack for breaking partnerships, that caught the eye of IPL scouts.
Brar’s IPL debut came in 2019 for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), but his true breakthrough arrived in the 2021 season. It was a match against Royal Challengers Bangalore that etched his name into IPL folklore. Facing a formidable batting lineup, Brar delivered a spell for the ages, dismissing Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and AB de Villiers in quick succession. This incredible 3-wicket haul for just 19 runs not only secured a vital win for his team but also announced him as a serious contender, capable of dismantling the best.
What makes Brar fascinating is his understated yet highly effective playing style. He isn’t a massive turner of the ball, but his strength lies in his relentless accuracy, subtle changes in pace, and the ability to bowl a consistent line and length that makes scoring difficult. He often bowls in the powerplay and middle overs, absorbing pressure and creating opportunities. His calm demeanor on the field belies a sharp cricketing mind, always thinking a step ahead of the batsman.
While primarily known for his bowling, Brar has also shown glimpses of his batting potential, capable of hitting crucial boundaries down the order. He’s a true team player, often seen diving around in the field, adding value in all three departments. His evolution from a promising talent to a reliable IPL spinner has been a gradual but impressive climb, making him a vital cog in the Punjab Kings’ setup.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Harpreet Brar’s entire IPL journey has been synonymous with the Punjab Kings franchise. He was first picked up by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the 2019 IPL auction for his base price of ₹20 Lakhs. His debut season saw him play just two matches, gaining valuable experience but not making a significant impact on the stats sheet.
After going unsold in the 2020 auction, Brar was re-signed by Punjab Kings for the 2021 season. This proved to be a turning point. He played 7 matches, picking up 5 wickets at an impressive economy of 7.38, including his career-best 3/19 against RCB. This performance solidified his place and earned him a substantial contract in the mega-auction.
In the IPL 2022 mega-auction, Punjab Kings showed immense faith in Brar’s potential, securing his services for a significant sum of ₹3.8 Crore. He featured in 13 matches that season, though his wicket tally was modest with 4 scalps. However, he maintained a decent economy, showcasing his ability to contain runs. He continued to be a regular feature for PBKS in 2023 and 2024, playing 13 and 11 matches respectively, becoming a more consistent wicket-taker with 9 wickets in 2023 and 10 wickets in 2024, while keeping his economy rates below 7.5 in both seasons. His consistent presence and improved wicket-taking ability have cemented his role as a key spinner for the franchise.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
For bettors, Harpreet Brar offers a fascinating case study in consistency and specific utility. His primary strength lies in his exceptional economy rate, particularly against right-handed batsmen. On pitches that offer even a hint of grip or turn, Brar becomes incredibly difficult to score off, making him a strong candidate for “Under X Runs” bets in his individual overs or overall spell. His career economy of 7.63 is excellent for a spinner bowling in the modern T20 game.
Brar thrives on slower, turning tracks and at venues with larger boundaries where batsmen are forced to hit over the top. He’s less effective on flat, batting-friendly surfaces where his lack of express pace or significant turn can make him vulnerable. Look for him to perform well at home grounds like Mohali (if the pitch is slow) or against teams that struggle against left-arm spin. He’s a good bet for “Most Economical Bowler” in specific matches, especially when conditions favor spin.
While not a prolific wicket-taker every game, Brar has a knack for picking up crucial wickets, often breaking partnerships. His matchups against aggressive right-handers can be particularly profitable. He tends to bowl tight lines, forcing errors. Bet on him for “Over 0.5 Wickets” when he’s bowling against a top-heavy right-handed batting lineup, especially if he gets to bowl in the middle overs. His consistency in recent seasons (10 wickets in 2024, 9 in 2023) suggests he’s becoming a more reliable wicket-taking option.
His weakness lies in his limited batting contribution, meaning he’s rarely a factor in “Player of the Match” or “Most Runs” bets. Also, on small grounds or extremely flat decks, his economy can inflate, so bettors should be cautious. Always check pitch reports and ground dimensions when considering bets involving Brar. He’s a solid, low-risk option for bowling-centric bets, particularly focused on economy and specific wicket-taking scenarios.
Key Records & Milestones
- Maiden 3-wicket Haul: Achieved his career-best IPL figures of 3/19 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021, dismissing Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and AB de Villiers.
- Consistent Economy: Maintained an IPL career economy rate under 8.00 (7.63) across 46 matches, highlighting his ability to contain runs.
- Most Wickets in a Season: Recorded his best wicket-taking season in IPL 2024, picking up 10 wickets in 11 matches.
- Valuable Retention: Was bought back by Punjab Kings for a significant ₹3.8 Crore in the IPL 2022 mega-auction, showcasing his value to the franchise.
IPL Season Highlights
Harpreet Brar’s IPL career has seen him evolve into a reliable spin option, with his best performances often coming when the team needed them most.
IPL 2024: This was arguably Brar’s most consistent season with the ball. Playing 11 matches, he picked up 10 wickets at an impressive average of 26.20 and a superb economy rate of 7.08. He consistently provided control in the middle overs, often breaking partnerships. A standout performance included his 2/17 against Gujarat Titans, where he stifled their scoring and picked up crucial wickets, helping PBKS defend a modest total. His ability to maintain a tight line and length under pressure was a key asset for the Punjab Kings.
IPL 2023: Brar continued his upward trajectory, featuring in 13 matches and bagging 9 wickets. His economy remained excellent at 7.22, proving his worth as a run-containment specialist. His best figures of 3/31 against Mumbai Indians were instrumental in a high-scoring encounter, where he dismissed key batsmen to put the brakes on their chase, showcasing his ability to perform against strong batting lineups.
IPL 2021: This was Brar’s breakthrough season. Though he played only 7 matches, his impact was undeniable. He picked up 5 wickets at an average of 26.60 and an economy of 7.38. The highlight was his sensational spell of 3/19 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. In that memorable game, he dismissed Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and AB de Villiers in quick succession, turning the tide completely in Punjab’s favor and announcing his arrival on the big stage with a bang.