‘Test cricket is about patience’: Manav Suthar capped dream debut with ‘Player of the Match’ award and record win for India

NEW DELHI: Manav Suthar described himself as on top of the world after a sensational left-arm debut helped India crush Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in a one-off Test, with the youngster insisting patience and consistency remain the keys to success in the longest format.Suthar was named man of the match after finishing with seven wickets in the game, including a remarkable first innings of 6 for 33, which secured India’s biggest ever win in Test cricket.“It’s an unbelievable feeling. Feeling on top of the world. When I went in to bat I slowly felt good after facing a few balls and when I first pitched I wanted to stick to similar lengths and lines,” Suthar said after receiving the award.

“Test cricket is about patience”

The 23-year-old from Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar revealed that he had to adapt quickly after realizing the surface was slower than expected.“I was trying to push the supplies but I understood that the pitch was a bit slow so I had to put in more effort,” he said.Suthar also smiled as he recalled the dismissal of Saleem Safi, who was given lbw despite ball tracking later showing that the delivery had bounced outside the leg stump.“I felt it was absolutely flawless in the heat,” he said with a smile.However, the debutant emphasized that sustained accuracy and patience are the foundations of success in Test cricket.“Bowling at the same place is important. Test cricket is about patience, so I hope I can be consistent with my bowling,” he said.His 6 for 33 was the second highest innings by an Indian bowler on Test debut after Narendra Hirwani’s 8 for 61 against the West Indies in 1988. Afghanistan were bowled out for 152 in the first innings and 112 after being asked to continue. Washington Sundar (4/36) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/30) shared seven wickets in the second innings as India cruised to victory midway through day three.