Ravindra Jadeja Lauds Manav Suthar's Impressive Bowling in Galle Test
Jadeja Celebrates Suthar's Bowling Skills
Galle [Sri Lanka], August 18: Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja expressed admiration for the young talent Manav Suthar after his remarkable bowling performance on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka. Jadeja referred to Suthar's very first delivery, which resulted in a wicket, as a "dream ball for a left-arm spinner."
Suthar's impressive four-wicket haul and Jadeja's milestone of 350 Test wickets were the standout moments of a day dominated by spin. Despite a valiant effort from Sri Lanka, highlighted by Niroshan Dickwella's resilience and Sonal Dinusha's century, the Indian spinners proved too challenging.
The young bowler's debut delivery in his spell claimed the wicket of seasoned player Dinesh Chandimal, showcasing sharp turn and bounce that ultimately found its way into the gloves of wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
In a video shared on the BCCI's official platform, Jadeja praised Suthar's skill, stating, "I witnessed your bowling for the first time in a Test match. The ball that came out of your hand was exceptional. As a left-arm spinner, I often watch matches on TV, but experiencing that live was something special."
Jadeja further elaborated, "The first ball that came out of your hand had such impressive revolutions; it truly felt like a classic left-arm spinner's dream ball."
In response, Suthar congratulated Jadeja on reaching the significant milestone of 350 Test wickets, placing him among the top spinners and all-rounders in the history of Test cricket. Jadeja shared insights into his bowling strategy, noting that he observed the ball spinning effectively and aimed to target the stumps, particularly against left-handed batsmen.
He explained, "During the first innings, I noticed the ball was spinning well, making it difficult for batsmen to defend every delivery. I aimed for a stump line and bowled to left-handers from around the wicket."
Despite Dinusha's impressive maiden Test century, Sri Lanka managed only 284 runs in their first innings, trailing behind India's total of 462, giving the Shubman Gill-led team a substantial lead of 178 runs. Dinusha and Dickwella formed a solid partnership, adding 146 runs for the sixth wicket, but Dickwella was dismissed by seamer Prasidh Krishna for 80 runs in the 62nd over. Suthar (4/76) and Jadeja (3/57) effectively curtailed Sri Lanka's scoring opportunities.