One-off test between India and Afghanistan Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) witnessed a masterclass in spin bowling on the third day. This much-awaited match, which started on June 06, 2026, firmly established India’s dominance in the longest format. Resuming their first innings under immense pressure, Afghanistan’s batting lineup stood no chance against a consistent Indian bowling attack, led by a phenomenal debutant, which turned the match in favor of the hosts.
Manav Suthar’s six-wicket masterclass in his debut match against Afghanistan on the third day
The story of the third day was entirely about the young left-arm spinner human improvementWho shocked the cricket world with his very first extraordinary performance. Showing no signs of major nervousness, Suthar tore apart the Afghan batting order with remarkable accuracy, finishing his first innings with staggering figures of 22-10-33-6. Suthar’s relentless accuracy and deceptive drift completely restricted the runs, leading to a micro economy rate of just 1.50.
Suthar started his attack by dismissing the opening batsman Abdul Malik (16) And later gained the upper hand from the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz (12). He also won important catch-and-bowl battles against the wicketkeeper officer zazai (32). However, the final climax of his masterclass came in the 58th over. Suthar was the first to reject a fight Rehmat Shah For 60, and only three balls later, was cheated Mohammad Salim. Beautifully pitched on middle and leg, the ball took a sharp turn past Salim’s forward defensive prod, trapping him leg-before-cookie. While Saleem walked without resorting to review, although ball tracking later showed that it was pitched slightly outside leg, there was an uproar in the stadium. Suthar’s six-wicket haul instantly thrilled fans on social media, sealing his debut in the history books.
Here’s how fans reacted:
human improvement🔥🔥🔥
Best wishes for a great career ahead.#indvafg
– Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) 8 June 2026
Man, oh human! 6️⃣/3️⃣3️⃣ 👏🏼
This is some introduction to test cricket! 🥳#whistlepoddu #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/dfjJoBMfaq– Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) 8 June 2026
Test debut ✅
Wicket in his first over ✅
Pfeiffer in his first innings ✅Test cricket, welcome Manav Suthar pic.twitter.com/GvWMaIYfQ4
– Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) 8 June 2026
Manav Suthar created history in his debut match itself
• He has got 6 wickets so far
• Dream debut of this young player https://t.co/SF12puIfkk– Hot Cricket Club (@SportsTectician) 8 June 2026
Manav Suthar’s dream test debut
– Memorable debut for Manav Suthar, remarkable.🙌pic.twitter.com/mUDkngiA2a
– Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) 8 June 2026
Manav Suthar has come here to rule…!!!!
– Players who took five wickets in their debut match and became stars in Test cricket. 🥺🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/zljDhwWO8N
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) 8 June 2026
Manav Suthar – Remember the name. 🫡
Manav Suthar, 23, took 5 wickets in his first Test – what a moment for him. ♥️
– Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) 8 June 2026
Manav Suthar took 5 wickets in his debut match
– Total 6 wickets in the first inningsNow think about those idiots who make nasty comments, they are called GT Quota pic.twitter.com/QMmSbJoeyL
– Raja (@_raja_kumar) 8 June 2026
Best figures in first innings in Tests by Indian spinners: 🇮🇳
8-61 – Narendra Hirwani vs West Indies
6-33 – Manav Suthar vs Afghanistan
6-103 – Dilip Doshi vs Australia pic.twitter.com/ZfCzQqwUMi– Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) 8 June 2026
I like left arm spin bowlers very much.
My favorite left arm spinners for India:
Jadeja
LetterI have not seen B.Chandrashekhar
Manav Suthar with his height turn bounce. If he improves his batting, he can be as good as Jadeja. pic.twitter.com/jxFA1o99Mm
-‘ (@ddgautam_) 8 June 2026
Manav Suthar finished his dream debut Test innings with 6/33.
Among Indian spinners, he has the third best bowling figures in any innings on debut Test.
Only Narendra Hirwani (8/61 and 8/75 vs West Indies, Chennai, 1988) has performed better than him.#humansuthar #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/1kYCTnPJbn
– Saptak Sanyal (@SanyalwithStats) 8 June 2026
India imposed follow-on against Afghanistan on the third day of Mullanpur Test.
Suthar’s magical spell saw Afghanistan bowl out for 152 runs in 58.4 overs, failing miserably to match India’s mammoth first innings score of 564/8. The mountain of India’s batting stood on the strength of the captain’s brilliant centuries. Shubman Gill (126) and KL Rahul (100), supported by beautiful fifties Sai Sudarshan (81), Rishabh Pant (81), and washington beautiful (52 not out). For Afghanistan, bowler Saleem was the lone warrior with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 140 runs.
Facing a huge deficit of 412 runs, Indian captain Gill wasted no time and decided to enforce follow-on. With no chance of reprieve, Afghanistan were asked to bat again before the lunch break. Afghani opener behind by 394 runs Sediqullah Atal (16*) and Malik (2*) managed to survive Suthar’s brief 4-over burst Prasidh KrishnaBy lunch on the third day the score reached 18/0. There is still a mountain to climb and with India’s spinners working hard on the poor track in Mullanpur, the home team looks headed for a big win.
