IND vs AFG: Spinner Manav Suthar strikes first on Test debut
Spinner Manav Suthar justified India’s faith in him by claiming his first Test wicket on his first debut against Afghanistan on Sunday, June 7 in Mullanpur.
Brought into the attack in the sixth over of the innings, Suthar struck immediately as opener Abdul Malik bowled a single to hand India their first wicket of the day.
The left-arm spinner, who earned his first call-up after a string of outstanding performances in domestic cricket and for India A, took a generous turn from the Mullanpur pitch and tormented the Afghan batsmen with the new ball.
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Malik, looking to put pressure on the spinner early on, tried to sweep Suthar for a boundary but only managed a top edge.
Suthar struck again in the 20th over of the innings, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 12 balls off 40. The spinner found Gurbaz’s outside edge and Sai Sudharsan completed a sharp catch at second slip.
The two wickets underlined why India invested in the Rajasthan spinners, who have built an impressive first-class record over the past few seasons. In just 29 first-class matches, Suthar has already picked up 129 wickets.
LONG WAIT FOR CALL IN INDIA
Suthar’s rise to the national team was far from simple. For most of the last decade, India’s spin-bowling race has been locked down by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom have combined elite bowling with significant batting contributions.
Even during the transitional period that followed, India often preferred Washington Sundar because of his all-round ability.
As a result, Suthar was forced to bide his time despite playing consistently in domestic cricket.
In an interview with JioStar ahead of his debut, Suthar reflected on his journey from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan to the Indian team.
“Cricket has always been a big part of my family. My father loves the game and everyone at home regularly watches the matches. As a small boy, I used to sit with them and watch. That’s where my love for cricket first started,” said Suthar.
“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. When I was 10 or 11, I joined a proper cricket academy. My coaches taught me the right techniques and helped me improve my game.”
‘SACRIFICES FINALLY PAID’
Spiner said he always believed India’s challenge would eventually come if he continued to perform consistently.
“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 wait but I remained patient,” Suthar said.
“I made my IPL debut in 2024 with Gujarat Titans. I played just one match that season. I didn’t get a chance to play in 2025 but I played four matches in 2026 and it felt good to be back on the field.”
“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.”
Suthar’s performance on debut showed exactly why India backed him. The left-handed spinner consistently drifted the ball to right-handers before swerving it away, despite operating on a relatively slow surface.
His early breakthroughs helped India reduce Afghanistan to 62/3 after the hosts amassed a mammoth 564 in their first innings.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
07 Jun 2026 15:57 IST