Manav Suthar hopes to rely on adaptability in alien conditions

JAIPUR: Manav Suthar’s rapid rise in red-ball cricket has been an education in adaptability. From grabbing the distinctive seam of the SG ball at home to working with the Dukes in county cricket and the Kookaburras in Sri Lanka, the 24-year-old from Rajasthan has negotiated vastly different conditions in a remarkably short space of time.Now heading to New Zealand with the India ‘A’ team, the young left-arm spinner faces another challenge: finding a way to be effective in the wind and on surfaces that may offer little turn.Instead of arriving with a solid tactical plan for a country he’s never visited, Suthar is banking on his ability to adapt on the go and keep things simple. “I have never played in New Zealand. This is my first time,” Suthar told TOI.His enthusiasm for India’s ‘A’ task is unmistakable. “I am 100% looking forward to do my best for the team. Not only in terms of bowling but also batting,” he said.This confidence is rooted in consistent preparation and a willingness to learn under challenging conditions. His recent spell with Warwickshire, where he took 27 goals in six County Championship games, has improved his tactical understanding and broadened his repertoire.“I have learned a lot from county cricket,” said Suthar. “Like groove variation and speed variation. You have to figure out what the ideal speed is on that particular day, whether it’s the first day of the wicket or the last day. There’s so much that I’ve picked up on there.”Has alternating between different balls and conditions accelerated his development? “100%. When you play with different variables in different conditions, you are forced to adapt to those situations quickly. To switch and learn so quickly is incredibly good for any cricketer. We train hard for it. Just like before our previous tour, we had a 10-day preparation camp where we trained intensively. Similarly, before I went to England, I trained with the local equipment,” he said.Looking back on a rapid ascent that has already yielded 23 wickets in his first three Tests, Suthar identifies that exposure as his biggest asset. “Playing matches in all these environments gave me a real feel for the game and that experience is the most important thing,” he added.That experience should serve him well in New Zealand, where he will once again work with the Kookaburra. His approach remains straightforward. “The Kookaburra seam is very good and always stays in good condition,” he said. “I’m just trying to do the same thing for as long as possible. I’m concentrating on bowling in the same area and keeping a good length and that’s the main thing.”Then there is the challenge of bowling in strong crosswinds. This is not an entirely unfamiliar task for Suthar. “Even when we played in the subcontinent before, it was very windy,” he said. “I think using the wicket is much more important when you have to deal with strong crosswinds. The main thing I focus on in those situations is to adapt to the conditions as quickly as possible.”“I will stick to my natural trajectory. I can’t say now what will help me in that particular situation. I will go there and see what the wicket has to offer and find out the right length, seam position and pace after bowling for a couple of days,” he said.