‘Wonderful career ahead’: Ashwin’s special message for debutant Manav Suthar after historic six

ByTech Word News

Manav Suthar (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: Watching 23-year-old Manav Suthar weave his magic against Afghanistan in the one-off Test at Mullanpur must have brought back memories for Ravichandran Ashwin. Like Ashwin on his own Test debut in 2011, the Rajasthani left-arm spinner made an immediate impact on the biggest stage in the script’s history with a sensational six-wicket haul in his first Test innings.Donning his Test cap against Afghanistan, Suthar announced his arrival in style, returning with figures of 6/33 as Afghanistan were bowled out for 152 in response to India’s imposing 564/8 declaration. The performance earned Suthar a place in the record books. His 6/33 are the best bowling figures by an Indian on Test debut in 38 years. The last Indian to perform better in a Test debut innings was Narendra Hirwani, who took a superb 8/61 against the West Indies in Chennai in 1988 before finishing with a remarkable 16-wicket haul.Suthar also joined the exclusive club of Indian bowlers to take six wickets in an innings on Test debut. Before him, only Narendra Hirwani, Ravichandran Ashwin, Dilip Doshi and Syed Abid Ali had done it.The 23-year-old also became only the 10th Indian overall – and seventh spinner – to take five wickets on Test debut.Ashwin, who himself took nine wickets on his Test debut against the West Indies in Delhi in 2011, including figures of 6/47 in the second innings, was among the first to congratulate the youngster.“Manav Suthar. Wishing you a beautiful career,” Ashwin wrote on social media.Suthar’s act is significant for more than one reason. He became only the second Indian this century to take five wickets in his first Test innings after Amit Mishra, who took 5/71 against Australia in 2008.His figures are also the second best by any bowler against Afghanistan in Test cricket, behind Rahke Cornwall’s 7/75 in Lucknow in 2019.

  • Best bowling figures in debut Test innings for India:
  • 8/61 – Narendra Hirwani vs West Indies, Chennai, 1988
  • 6/33 – Manav Suthar vs Afghanistan, Mullanpur, 2026*
  • 6/55 – Syed Abid Ali vs Australia, Adelaide, 1967
  • 6/103 – Dilip Doshi vs Australia, Chennai, 1979

With his dream debut, Suthar not only etched his name alongside some of India’s best spin bowlers, but also glimpsed what could be a bright future for Indian cricket.