‘People said there was no scope in cricket’: Manav Suthar’s emotional reaction after India debut

Manav Suthar of India (AP Photo) For Manav Suthar, the moment he learned of his first call to India was a moment he will cherish forever. The young left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder revealed that it was his sister who first broke the life-changing news to him when his name came up in India’s squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan.Suthar was named in India’s playing eleven for the Test in Mullanpur and received his debut cap from senior Kuldeep Yadav before the match began. The 23-year-old, who represented Gujarat Titans under Shubman Gill during IPL 2026, also became India’s first spin-bowling specialist Test debutant since Axar Patel’s debut in 2021.In an interview with JioStar, Suthar recalled, “I was in my room when my sister called me. Maybe she was watching the team announcement event. She told me that my name was called in the Indian team. I asked her if it was official. She said yes, it was official. She was the first to call me.”The news quickly spread through the family and caused an outpouring of emotion. “Everyone was emotional when they called me. Dad, mom, everyone called me. They couldn’t believe it. I can’t put it into words. It’s the greatest feeling. You work hard for years and then you finally get picked for India. It’s the best feeling. The best feeling of my life,” he said.Suthar also reflected on how cricket became an integral part of his life. Growing up in a cricket-loving household, he was naturally drawn to watching matches with his family. What started as street cricket with friends eventually developed into a serious endeavor when he joined a cricket academy at the age of 10 or 11.“Cricket has always been a big part of my family. My father loves the game and everyone at home watches the matches regularly. I used to sit and watch with them as a little boy. That’s where my love for cricket first started. I started playing in the street with my friends. These street games taught me the basics of how to hold the bat and how to bowl.”Crediting coaches Dheeraj and Vinod for shaping his early development, he pointed out that his selection for Rajasthan’s under-14 team was the turning point that convinced him that cricket could become a career.Despite his talent, Suthar acknowledged that the journey to the top level was fraught with uncertainty and skepticism. Competing in the crowded Indian cricket environment meant there were no guarantees and many advised him to prioritize academics.“In a country like India with such a huge population, it is never easy to succeed in cricket. You never know what the future holds. There are so many talented players competing for the same few spots. I faced a lot of challenges along the way. Many people told me to focus on my studies. They said that cricket has no scope and that I am wasting my time. But I didn’t give up after the season, I didn’t give up hard. I didn’t give up after the season.Persistence paid off in the end. After emerging in Rajasthan’s home set-up, Suthar built an impressive first-class resume, picking up 129 wickets in 29 matches. He also represented his state in 25 List A matches and 29 T20 matches.Suthar revealed that strong performances in domestic cricket and for India A gave him confidence that an international opportunity was coming.“I had a great domestic season. I performed well for India A as well. My name was being discussed and I knew the call could come anytime. It was a waiting game but I remained patient. I made my IPL debut in 2024 with Gujarat Titans. I played only one match that season. I didn’t get a chance to play in 2025 but I played four matches in 20 and I felt good.”Now, with an India cap to his name, Suthar believes years of dedication and sacrifice have finally been rewarded.“Now all the hard work in domestic cricket and for India A has paid off. I am in the playing eleven for the Afghanistan Test and making my international debut. It is a dream come true. All the sacrifices have finally paid off. I feel proud, grateful and ready to give my best for this country,” he added.The Rajasthani spinner also spoke about the cricketers who shaped his ambitions. While his all-round game has garnered praise from pundits, Suthar revealed that two Indian greats have been the biggest inspirations during his journey.“Yuvraj Singh is my favorite cricketer. I also really admire R Ashwin. The way they bowled, the variety they had in their bowling and how they adapted to Test cricket, ODIs and T20s inspires me a lot. They are my role models,” Suthar said.