Manav Suthar announced himself on the international stage with a wicket on just the fourth ball of his Test career, then finished Day 2 with 3/21 in 13 overs as India tightened their grip on the one-off India vs Afghanistan Test in New Chandigarh.
The 23-year-old left-arm spinner from Rajasthan became the eighth Indian to claim a wicket in his first over on Test debut. At stumps, Afghanistan were reeling at 113/5, still trailing by 451 runs after India declared at a mammoth 564/8.
How Did Suthar Get His First Test Wicket?
It was as dramatic as a debut gets.
After India declared their innings, Shubman Gill tossed the ball to Suthar from one end. On just his fourth delivery in international cricket, the left-arm spinner beat Abdul Malik with a sharply turning ball. Malik top-edged it, and Mohammed Siraj sprinted in from the close-in position to take a brilliant diving catch.
The BCCI posted the moment on social media with the caption: “FIRST OVER, FIRST TEST WICKET!” The Chandigarh crowd gave Suthar a standing ovation, and his teammates mobbed him near the pitch.
What Happened After That First Wicket?
Suthar didn’t stop at one. He kept bowling unchanged from one end for 13 consecutive overs while Gill rotated between Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Kuldeep Yadav from the other.
His second breakthrough came when he induced a sharp outside edge from Rahmanullah Gurbaz (12), who was trying to be aggressive. Sai Sudharsan took a clean catch at second slip.
The third wicket was equally impressive. Afsar Zazai was beaten by a delivery that stopped and bounced unexpectedly. The ball caught the face of the bat, producing a loopy leading edge that Suthar himself pouched as a simple return catch.
By stumps, Suthar had figures of 3/21 from 13 overs. His classical left-arm spin, combined with precise field placements set by Gill, made him virtually unplayable on a surface offering increasing turn.
Who Is Manav Suthar?
A surprise selection, perhaps. But not an undeserving one.
Suthar made his first-class debut for Rajasthan in the 2021-22 Ranji Trophy and quickly established himself as one of India’s most promising spinners. During the 2022-23 Ranji season, he took 39 wickets in six matches at an average of 20.32, including two five-wicket hauls. He also scored 224 runs with the bat at an average of 32, showcasing genuine all-round ability.
His breakout performance on the national radar came during the India A vs Australia A second unofficial Test in Lucknow last September. Suthar took 5/93 in the first innings and finished with eight wickets across the match. Even Nathan McSweeney praised him afterwards, calling his bowling “beautifully consistent.”
He received his Test cap from Kuldeep Yadav before the start of play on Day 1. His selection came in place of Ravindra Jadeja, who was rested for this match.
How Did India Build Their 564/8 Total?
India’s batting dominated Day 1 and the first session of Day 2.
Shubman Gill set the tone with a commanding 126 off 177 balls before falling on the morning of Day 2. KL Rahul scored a patient 100, while Sai Sudharsan contributed 81 in the middle order.
Rishabh Pant played his signature attacking cricket, scoring 81 off 121 balls before falling to debutant left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote while attempting a six. Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on 52, adding valuable runs for the lower order before Gill declared.
For Afghanistan, fast bowler Mohammad Saleem Safi was the standout, finishing with 6/140. He became only the third Afghan bowler to take a five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
IND vs AFG Test: Day 2 Scoreboard Summary
India: 564/8 declared in 127 overs
Top scorers: Gill 126, KL Rahul 100, Sudharsan 81, Pant 81, Sundar 52*
Best bowling: Mohammad Saleem 6/140
Afghanistan: 113/5 at stumps (trail by 451 runs)
Top scorers: Sediqullah Atal 37, Hashmatullah Shahidi 29
Best bowling: Manav Suthar 3/21 (13 overs), Prasidh Krishna 2/27
Prasidh Krishna also impressed with 2/27, including the crucial wicket of Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi for 29. Between Krishna’s pace and Suthar’s spin, India have Afghanistan firmly pinned heading into Day 3.
What Does This Debut Mean for Suthar’s Future?
With Ravindra Jadeja now 37 and Ravichandran Ashwin retired, India’s left-arm spin succession has been an open question for months. Suthar’s debut performance goes a long way towards answering it.
His classical action, ability to extract turn and bounce, and composure under pressure all suggest he can handle the step up. The upcoming two-Test series in Sri Lanka (late August) and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home (January-February 2027) will need multiple spinners. After today, Suthar has made himself impossible to ignore.
From Rajasthan’s domestic circuit to India A to a three-wicket haul on Test debut, Manav Suthar has taken every opportunity thrown his way. Day 3 in New Chandigarh could bring even more.
