Suthar announces his arrival with pinpoint control and sharp turn
A Star is Born in New Chandigarh
It was the final over before the tea interval on the second day of the one-off Test between India and Afghanistan in New Chandigarh. With the Indian side having posted a commanding 564 for 8 in their first innings, Afghanistan found themselves at 28 for no loss after five overs. Shubman Gill, looking to apply pressure before the break, turned to his debutant spinner, Manav Suthar. In that moment, Suthar announces his arrival with pinpoint control and sharp turn, signaling a new chapter for Indian spin bowling.
The Legacy of Spin
For the better part of a decade, R. Ashwin had been the architect of such pressure-building spells for India. With Ashwin retired and Ravindra Jadeja rested, the mantle fell to Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar. Gill’s decision to introduce Suthar against right-hander Abdul Malik proved inspired. Unlike the variation-heavy approach of his idol, Ashwin, Suthar relies on a disciplined, traditional approach to left-arm spin.
Bowling from around the wicket, Suthar utilized a classic delivery stride that kept his front arm steady and allowed him to maintain a constant eye on the batter. His stock ball, operating at approximately 90kph, proved immediately troublesome. Within his very first over, he extracted significant turn, eventually forcing a top-edge from Malik that was safely pouched by Mohammed Siraj at short fine leg. Suthar became only the eighth Indian to claim a wicket in his debut Test over.
Consistent Pressure and Tactical Brilliance
Suthar’s impact did not wane after tea. His control was such that the Afghan batters struggled to rotate the strike, managing runs off only three deliveries in his opening eight-over spell. Even when the surface offered little help, Suthar adjusted his length masterfully, forcing errors from the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hashmatullah Shahidi. His persistence eventually yielded the wicket of Gurbaz, caught by Sai Sudharsan.
By the end of the day, Suthar had finished with impressive figures of 13-6-20-2, before adding a third scalp—Afsar Zazai—to his tally just before stumps. His ability to draw 5.3 degrees of turn on average, compared to the 3.7 managed by the Afghan spinners, highlighted the technical superiority he brought to the pitch.
More Than Just a Bowler
Suthar’s contribution extended beyond his bowling. Earlier in the match, he partnered with Washington Sundar to add a vital 54 runs for the seventh wicket, contributing 28 off 41 balls with a display of aggressive, confident batting. This performance underscores his development as an all-rounder, a trait he recently solidified by scoring his maiden first-class century during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season.
A Bright Future Ahead
Reflecting on his debut, Suthar emphasized his focus on hitting good areas and extracting maximum turn. Washington Sundar praised his teammate, noting the incredible energy and skill Suthar puts into every delivery. As India looks ahead to their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, Suthar has made a compelling case for a permanent spot in the squad. At just 23, he possesses the temperament and the technical foundation to represent India for years to come. With a dream of playing Test cricket now realized, the young spinner appears destined for the highest level of the sport.
