In the quest for their next-generation spin bowling-allrounders, India has taken a very big stride as on Saturday, Manav Suthar got selected to play his first ever test game for India against Afghanistan at Mullanpur. At the young age of 23, the cricketer from Rajasthan has earned his selection through hard work in domestic matches and also with India A. As a left arm orthodox bowler, he can add a few runs to the team batting order. Suthar’s selection in the Test match came at a time when India were slowly planning for life without their veteran spin bowlers. He comes to international cricket with a total of 129 wickets and 945 runs in 29 First Class matches.
Ravichandran Ashwin had posted on X, “The reason why Manav Suthar is rated very highly is crystal clear in this picture. It’s not just the angle of rotation or over spin, it’s also the speed at which it is rotating. He has a distinct advantage alongside Harsh Dubey in this regard.”
Born in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, Suthar has steadily climbed the ranks through consistent performances. The bowling all-rounder first gained wider attention during the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season, when he finished as Rajasthan’s highest wicket-taker with 39 wickets in six matches. He later strengthened his case through strong displays for India A and in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, where he claimed 10 wickets in five matches.
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The Journey Behind Manav Suthar’s India Call-Up
Manav Suthar’s IPL Career
The success of Suthar is marked by the exposure that he had received in the IPL as well. The Gujarat Titans signed him for an amount of ₹20 lakh in the IPL 2024 player auction, where he made one appearance. The Gujarat Titans retained him for an amount of ₹30 lakh in the mega player auction of IPL 2025; however, he did not play any game due to stiff competition. In the IPL 2026, he was retained at the same cost, playing in four games and taking two wickets.
First-Class Records and Team Selection
The Rajasthan all-rounder entered the Afghanistan Test with one of the strongest domestic records among emerging spinners. Across 29 First-Class matches, he has claimed 129 wickets while scoring 945 runs, including one century and six fifties. He has also taken 34 wickets in 25 List A games and 25 wickets in 29 T20 matches. His debut is notable as India fielded a Test XI without either Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja for the first time since November 2010.
Strategic Vision from Indian Management
In choosing Suthar over another new player Harsh Dubey, the management of the team had shown its far-sightedness. Suthar was considered as a key choice in anticipation of the future challenges facing India on tours to other countries like Sri Lanka, where spin will come into play. Suthar’s performances with India A have been good enough to earn him a place in the Indian team, as he has taken eight wickets in the test match between India A and Australia A along with his best figures of 5/107. With Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar already in the side, Suthar completed a three-spinner attack aimed at testing India’s next generation of red-ball talent.
Gautam Gambhir cited being experimental as well as cautious about discovering India’s next spinner, as he said, “This is perhaps the only Test match where we can have a look at someone who could be our fourth spinner. Because after this, we go to Sri Lanka, and we might have to carry four spinners. So this is an ideal opportunity to try someone who could be a long-term option as well.”
