The Test debut of Manav Suthar for India against Afghanistan in June 2026 was difficult to top in terms of success. The promising left-arm spinner from Rajasthan came into international cricket with pressure on him, but ended up being one of India’s main topics after the game.
His seven wickets made a huge contribution to India’s good showing in the match, yet it wasn’t merely his performance that impressed everyone. The manner in which he bowled and his attitude on the pitch really made an impression on the cricket world. Among those who were particularly impressed was Washington Sundar, who spoke warmly about the youngster after the match.
Washington Sundar explains why Suthar stands out
Sundar believes Manav Suthar possesses qualities that make him different from many young spinners. Speaking after India’s dominant display, the all-rounder described him as “a genuine treat to watch” and pointed to the amount of revolutions he generates on the ball.
For a spinner, revolutions are extremely important because they help create a sharper turn and make it harder for batters to read the ball. Throughout the Test, Suthar repeatedly managed to extract movement from the surface and keep Afghanistan’s batters under pressure. Even when wickets were not falling, he rarely allowed the opposition to settle.
Sundar said the young spinner’s ability to rip the ball hard is one of his biggest strengths. It is a skill that cannot be ignored at the international level, especially in Test cricket, where bowlers need different ways to challenge batters over long periods.
Early breakthrough sets the tone
Every cricketer dreams of making an immediate impact on debut, and Suthar did exactly that.
The left-arm spinner struck with only the fourth delivery of his international career when he dismissed Afghanistan opener Abdul Malik. Picking up a wicket so early helped him settle quickly and gave him the confidence to attack throughout his spell.
After that first breakthrough, he looked comfortable at the highest level. There was no sign of nervousness. Instead, he relied on his strengths and kept bowling patiently and cautiously.
His finest work came in the first innings, where he tore through the Afghan batting line-up to finish with figures of 6 for 33. The spell put India firmly in control of the match and highlighted his ability to make things happen when conditions favour spin.
Another strong effort in the second innings
Suthar was not finished after his first-innings heroics. When Afghanistan batted again, the youngster continued to trouble the batters. He kept hitting the ball to his strengths, thus inducing errors. By the time he was done with his innings, he had taken three more wickets, while giving away only 21 runs in 15.5 overs.
Those figures took his match tally to seven wickets and completed a memorable debut performance.
A seven-wicket haul in a first Test match is something every young spinner would love to achieve. More importantly, Suthar looked comfortable handling the demands of international cricket. His control never seemed to disappear, even when he was bowling long spells.
Sundar praises his work ethic and energy
While the wickets grabbed most of the attention, Sundar also highlighted another aspect of Suthar’s game.
The Indian all-rounder spoke about the effort the young spinner puts into every delivery. According to Sundar, Suthar commits fully to his bowling from the start of his action until the moment the ball leaves his hand.
This dedication could be seen throughout the game. He kept up his intensity for long periods of time without ever looking like he had run out of steam. For a Test debutant, this dedication and stamina were impressive.
Many successful spinners build their careers on patience and hard work. It is believed by Sundar that Suthar already possesses such qualities and that they will help him in the future.
Signs of a bright future
The other point mentioned by Sundar in reference to his potential was the domestic record of Suthar as far as red ball cricket is concerned. Suthar was given an opportunity based on consistent performances for many seasons in first-class cricket.
According to the performances he had already delivered at the domestic level and also the way he managed to perform in his first Test appearance, Sundar believes that the Indian public can hope for more match-winning performances by him. A single performance cannot make a career, but there were clear signs that Suthar had something to offer in Test cricket.
