Manav Suthar impresses in early Test career, eyes bigger role in India's spin attack

India's Manav Suthar (ANI Photo)

Manav Suthar has wasted little time making an impression in Test cricket, with the left-arm spinner already putting himself in the conversation for a bigger role in India’s red-ball plans. Suthar has claimed 23 wickets from his first three Tests, but his impact has gone beyond the numbers. His ability to generate drift, combine it with a deceptive release and consistently hit the right areas has made him an awkward proposition for batters.Ajinkya Rahane has been particularly impressed by the early signs from the youngster. The former India captain believes Suthar’s biggest strength could be his ability to remain effective without relying heavily on assistance from the pitch. "I have noticed two things about Manav. The first thing is that for him, the pitch does not matter, whether it turns or not. His speed through the air helps him deceive the batters. It is important and good that you do not depend on the wicket as a spinner. Then you can do well in any condition. The other thing was the way he altered the speed. He has been a quick learner in just three games. He bowled differently to each batter and used the angles well. Yes, it is early, but he has done well," he said in a video on his Hindi YouTube Channel.

Suthar making a case for bigger role

The 23 wickets in three matches have given Suthar an impressive beginning to his international career, while his adaptability has added another dimension to his prospects. Suthar’s early performances have already established him as India’s lead spinner. Even during the Sri Lanka tour, he was captain Shubman Gill’s first choice whenever the team needed wickets. Since Ravindra Jadeja is gradually becoming more of a batting all-rounder—especially in overseas conditions, Suthar is expected to be India's leading spinner for the near future. His ability to adjust his pace, angles and approach according to the batter has particularly stood out, strengthening the argument that he can be effective across different conditions.

Rahane warns India of New Zealand challenge

Rahane also turned his attention to India’s next Test assignment in New Zealand, where the conditions are expected to be considerably different from those the team experienced in Sri Lanka. The former India batter believes adapting quickly to the conditions will be central to India’s preparations. He also highlighted the value of match practice ahead of a challenging series. "The conditions will be totally different in New Zealand. You need to read the wicket and adapt that way. In the last five to six years, we have seen that the team adapts well. I expect them to prepare well. The good thing was that they played a practice match in Sri Lanka. If they get the time for that in New Zealand too, it will be very crucial for mental and physical preparation, even skill-wise," he expressed.

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For Suthar, however, the immediate task is to build on an encouraging start. Three Tests and 23 wickets have already given him a platform, while his ability to produce results without depending solely on turning pitches could prove valuable as India look to strengthen their spin options for the future.

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