Who is Manav Suthar? The Rising Star of Indian Cricket Against Afghanistan

New Chandigarh, June 7: Rajasthan’s spin-bowling all-rounder Manav Suthar made his international cricket debut on Saturday. He was included in India’s playing eleven for the only Test match against Afghanistan at the Maharaja Yadavendra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

The 23-year-old left-arm spinner replaced fellow all-rounder Harsh Dubey, putting an end to speculation about who would get the opportunity, as the team management aimed to test options ahead of Sri Lanka’s upcoming two-Test tour.

Suthar received Test cap ‘Number 319’ from senior spinner Kuldeep Yadav, making him the first specialist spin-bowling debutant for India since Axar Patel in 2021.

Hailing from Rajasthan, Suthar has honed his skills in the state’s domestic circuit, boasting an impressive record in first-class cricket. He has taken 129 wickets in 29 first-class matches, establishing himself as one of the country’s most promising young spinners. Additionally, he has played 25 List-A matches and 29 T20 matches.

Earlier this year, Suthar was part of the Gujarat Titans team, led by India’s Test captain Shubman Gill, which provided him with further exposure to top-level cricket. His talent was also highlighted during the preparation for the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he reportedly impressed senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli while serving as a net bowler.

Cricket experts have praised Suthar’s ability to turn the ball sharply and achieve good grip on the pitch, a skill that has drawn admiration from fans of Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin himself recognized Suthar’s talent, identifying him as a spinner with tremendous potential. Moments after receiving his first Test cap, an emotional Suthar expressed that it was hard to put into words the joy of fulfilling a childhood dream.

India is currently undergoing a transition in its spin department as it prepares to face challenging conditions in Sri Lanka later this year. This presents Suthar with the opportunity to translate his impressive domestic performances into a long-lasting international career.