Manav Suthar Shines on International Debut Against Afghanistan

In a remarkable international debut, Manav Suthar showcased his skills against Afghanistan, taking three wickets and scoring 28 runs. Cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Graeme Swann praised his performance, highlighting his control and adaptability. With an impressive domestic record, Suthar's future in Test cricket looks promising. Read on to discover more about his debut and the match summary.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 7, 2026, 20:26 IST

Suthar's Impressive Start

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar and ex-England spinner Graeme Swann praised young all-rounder Manav Suthar for his remarkable international debut against Afghanistan. Gavaskar noted that Suthar possesses the qualities to become a 'strong contender' at the Test level in the future. Making his debut in a one-off Test, Suthar impressed with his bowling, claiming three wickets for just 21 runs in 15.5 overs, while also contributing a brisk 28 runs in a partnership with Washington Sundar that helped India surpass the 500-run mark.

Gavaskar's Insights on Suthar

During a segment on JioStar 'Cricket Live', Gavaskar highlighted not only Suthar's bowling skills but also his batting confidence. He remarked, "Manav Suthar has made a notable start to his Test career. His ability to use his feet effectively and his comfort at the crease were particularly impressive. He bowled with precision, consistently putting pressure on the batters." However, Gavaskar cautioned that Suthar's true test will come on flatter pitches, where he will need to demonstrate greater variety and adaptability.

Swann's Praise for Control

Graeme Swann, also a JioStar expert, expressed admiration for Suthar's control from the very first ball. He stated, "Manav Suthar's debut performance was outstanding. He appeared completely in control right from the start. Despite the nerves that often accompany a debut, he quickly found his rhythm, generating excellent revolutions and extracting both dip and turn from the ball." Swann was particularly impressed by Suthar's ability to adapt his bowling strategy as the spell progressed, adjusting his line to maximize wicket-taking opportunities.

Suthar's Domestic Achievements

Prior to this match, Suthar had an impressive domestic record, having taken 129 wickets in 29 first-class matches at an average of 25.76, with best figures of 8/33. He also recorded six five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls. With the bat, he scored 945 runs in 48 innings at an average of 25.54, including a century and six fifties, with a top score of 120. This season, while playing for the Gujarat Titans, he took two wickets in four matches at an average of 34.00.

Match Summary: India vs Afghanistan

In the match, India chose to bat first, with significant contributions from skipper Shubman Gill (126 runs off 177 balls), KL Rahul (100 runs off 165 balls), Sai Sudharsan (81 runs off 104 balls), and Washington Sundar (52* runs off 68 balls), leading India to a total of 564/8 declared. Mohammad Saleem Safi was the standout bowler for Afghanistan, taking 6 wickets for 140 runs. By the end of day two, Afghanistan was at 113/5 in their first innings, with Suthar (3/21) and Prasidh Krishna (2/27) among the wicket-takers. Rahmat Shah remained unbeaten at 43 runs.