Who is Manav Suthar? The debutant spinner who helped India thrash Afghanistan

Manav Suthar could not have scripted a better beginning to his Test career as the left-arm spinner starred with the ball on debut, claiming six wickets to help India secure a crushing innings-and-300-run victory over Afghanistan in the one-off Test in Mullanpur on Monday (June 8).

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The 23-year-old Rajasthan all-rounder returned impressive figures of 6 for 33 from 22 overs, becoming only the 10th Indian bowler and the seventh spinner from the country to register a five-wicket haul in his maiden Test innings.

Suthar joins elite list on Test debut

Handed India Test cap No. 319 by Kuldeep Yadav before the start of the match, Suthar capped a memorable debut with an all-round contribution. The 23-year-old chipped in with a brisk 28 off 41 balls in India's first innings, striking two sixes, before playing a decisive role in putting the visitors on the back foot with the ball.

His bowling effort placed him in elite company. His figures are also the second-best by an Indian on debut, behind only Narendra Hirwani’s iconic 8 for 61 against the West Indies in Chennai in 1988. The performance helped India secure a huge 412-run first-innings lead and further underlined why selectors had backed him for the one-off Test.

Later, Suthar said his maiden Test appearance taught him that consistency and patience are the biggest virtues in the longest format. Named Player of the Match for his seven-wicket match haul, Suthar said repeatedly hitting the same areas was the secret behind his success on a surface that offered plenty of assistance to the spinners.

“The biggest lesson is that consistency is everything. You have to keep bowling in the same area over and over again. I think that’s the most important thing in Test cricket. It's a format that demands a lot of patience,” Suthar said at the presentation ceremony. “That’s what I’ve learned, keep being patient, stick to your plans and keep hitting the right areas consistently,” he said.

From Ganganagar to the national team

Born in Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, Suthar is a left-arm orthodox spinner who has steadily climbed through the ranks of Indian domestic cricket. Representing Rajasthan in the domestic circuit, he first came into the spotlight during the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season.

That season proved to be his breakthrough. Suthar finished with 39 wickets in just six matches, emerging as one of the most effective bowlers in the tournament and drawing attention from national selectors.

Since then, he has built an impressive first-class record. Before his Test debut, he had taken 129 wickets in 29 first-class matches at an average of 25.76. He also showed his value as a lower-order batter, scoring 1,026 runs, highlighting his credentials as a genuine all-rounder.

Even in a shortened Ranji Trophy campaign last season, he picked up 18 wickets from just three matches. Among his standout performances were an eight-wicket match haul against Chhattisgarh, a century and seven wickets against Himachal Pradesh, and another eight-wicket haul against Australia A, a performance that strengthened his case for higher honours.

IPL experience and Dravid’s advice

Suthar's rise also earned him opportunities in the Indian Premier League. He is contracted with Gujarat Titans, who bought him for Rs 30 lakh at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Although opportunities have been limited, he made his IPL debut in 2024 and has featured in four matches for Gujarat Titans, taking two wickets.

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Long before his India call-up, Suthar had already impressed some of the game’s biggest names. According to his coach Dheeraj Sharma, former India captain and coach Rahul Dravid was particularly struck by the youngster’s all-round abilities. Dravid reportedly advised him to prioritise his bowling, believing that his left-arm spin could take him a long way in international cricket. That advice appears to be paying off.

At a time when India are constantly searching for the next generation of Test bowlers, Suthar’s debut has put him firmly on the radar. With over 130 first-class wickets, proven domestic pedigree, IPL exposure and now a six-wicket haul on Test debut, the Rajasthan spinner has made a compelling case for a long future in Indian cricket.