Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar shared his feelings about receiving his debut cap for India, expressing pride in achieving his dream of playing Test cricket. Suthar, who played for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, earned his cap from senior spinner Kuldeep, becoming India’s first specialist spin-bowling Test debutant since 2021.
Suthar highlighted the significance of red-ball cricket in his career, emphasizing that playing Test cricket for India had always been his ultimate goal. His debut in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur saw him make history by claiming 6-33 in Afghanistan’s first innings, becoming only the fifth Indian to achieve a fifer on debut.
Reflecting on his bowling strategy on the New Chandigarh pitch, Suthar mentioned that his debut wicket would always hold a special place for him. He focused on maintaining consistency and spot-bowling, leading to a successful performance reminiscent of his idol, Ravichandran Ashwin, who achieved a similar feat in 2011.
Suthar’s impressive debut performance drew parallels to Narendra Hirwani’s remarkable debut in 1988, solidifying his place in Indian cricket history. His dedication to spot-bowling and focus on consistency were evident in his debut match, where he showcased his skills and determination on the field.
