Manav Suthar became 2nd Indian in this century to pick 5 wickets on Test debut innings

India’s newest left-arm spinner made an immediate impact on Test debut as he tore through Afghanistan’s batting line-up, returning remarkable figures of 6/33. His performance helped India clinch the follow-on with an impressive lead of 412 runs, placing him among the elite group of Indian debutants.

IND vs AFG: Update

He now holds the third-best figures by an Indian in an innings on Test debut, ahead of only Narendra Hirwani, who famously took two eight-wicket hauls against the West Indies in Chennai in 1988.

The young spinner played a key role in India taking firm control of the one-off Test, returning 6 for 33 after also contributing a useful 28 runs down the order in the first innings. His all-round involvement further underlined his value in the debutant side.

Hailing from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, the left-arm spinner completed the opening five-wicket haul before going on to add more breakthroughs as the Afghan batting order crumbled under constant pressure. He completed the milestone after dismissing Rahmat Shah, who struggled alone for 60, followed by the removal of Saleem Safi, who himself had played impressively earlier in the match.

The deliveries to Rahmat and Safi were a classic example of his control and turn. They fired at the stumps, gripped the surface hard and hit the batter on the pads. India made a confident challenge and the umpire raised his finger without hesitation.

With this spell, the debutant not only announced himself on the international stage but also played a crucial role in ensuring that India maintained complete control of the contest from start to finish. The young spinner has given the selectors a lot to think about as the race for a place in India’s Test squad continues.

INDIANS WITH 5-WICKET HAUL ON TEST DEBUT INNINGS

Narendra Hirwani – 8/61 vs West Indies (1988)
Narendra Hirwani – 8/75 vs West Indies (1988)
Manav Suthar – 6/33 vs Afghanistan (2026)*
Abid Ali – 6/55 vs Australia (1967)
Dilip Doshi – 6/103 vs Australia (1979)
Vaman Kumar – 5/64 vs Pakistan (1961)
Amit Mishra – 5/71 vs Australia (2008)
Mohammad Nissar – 5/93 vs England (1932)

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Published on:

June 8, 2026 12:10 PM IST