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Manav Suthar created history in his Test debut for Team India, taking 6 wickets for just 33 runs in the first innings, and took another wicket in the second innings of the one-off Test against Afghanistan at New Chandigarh.
Suthar’s extraordinary performance has worried some of the other spinners in India’s Test team, including Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja was rested for the match.
Will Manav Suthar play against Sri Lanka?
India’s next test match will be against Sri Lanka in August this year. Will the team management keep faith in the emerging spinners during the tour or will they sit on the bench and field experienced spinners against Sri Lanka?
Former Team India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin faced important questions during an online conversation with ESPNCricinfo. Ashwin strongly believes that the Indian team management will continue to improve Manav after the brilliant performance shown against Afghanistan.
What will be the future of Ravindra Jadeja if Manav Suthar plays?
Ashwin says that the management is looking for a match-winning spinner and Manav Suthar has all the tools to fulfill the requirements. Hence he believes that the 23-year-old will start against Sri Lanka and if Ravindra Jadeja joins the line-up, he can contribute as a batting all-rounder.
“I think it’s clear that the management is looking for an out-and-out, match-winning spinner. That will probably limit Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) to a batting all-rounder who will have a bit of experience with the ball. This is a good sign for the Indian team. I think Manav Sutar will absolutely make the start in Sri Lanka with his performance,” says R Ashwin.
Ashwin expressed concern about Kuldeep Yadav
R Ashwin’s concerns are about Kuldeep Yadav. The experienced spinner could not showcase his talent in the first innings of the only Test. But in the second innings he took three wickets. The former cricketer credited captain Shubman Gill for making good use of Kuldeep as per the situation.
He said, “It will be interesting to see how much support Kuldeep will get going forward. I think it is a very interesting time for Kuldeep. I liked how Shubman used Kuldeep in the second innings to give him a bit of confidence. I think variety is needed. If you have so many spin bowling all-rounders, Kuldeep can be continued to be supported. It will be interesting to see.”
Washington Sundar is another spin bowling all-rounder who was in the line-up against Afghanistan for the Test match. Apart from the first innings, Sundar also took four wickets in the second innings. If Suthar, Jadeja and Yadav are included in the playing eleven, what will be Sundar’s role?
Ravichandran Ashwin believes, “I am confident that Jadeja will be back. Washington will remain in his place. Manav Sutar will be the specialist spinner who will bowl so many overs to try to take wickets. Kuldeep will add some variety and this combination will last till the first Test.”
R Ashwin believes Manav Suthar has done enough to cement his place in the playing eleven for India’s first Test in Sri Lanka. pic.twitter.com/7bHziQUXPA
– ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 9, 2026