Manav Suthar announced his arrival in style. Image Credits: AFP
Manav Suthar has made a terrific start to his Test career, proving his selection correct against Afghanistan. On his debut innings, he took six wickets for 33 runs in 22 overs.
This was the second-best figures by an Indian bowler on debut Test innings, surpassing Syed Abid Ali's 6/55. More than these wickets, Manav Suthar showed superior skills and attributes throughout the spell.
Manav Suthar flexes superior attributes on Test debut
Manav Suthar bowled at high speeds and still managed to impart substantial turn and drift in the first innings. The deck did help him, as was the case for every other spinner, but Manav’s ability to get turn at pace with substantial grip was unique.
By the end of both teams’ first innings, Manav extracted the most median turn (5.06°) and the joint-most median grip (0.44) in Mullanpur. That high turn is impressive because his median speed (89.63 km/h) was the highest among all spinners.
To get such a massive turn at that pace means batters don’t have enough time to adjust in their crease. His delivery dismissing Sharafuddin Ashraf serves as a perfect example to understand his threat.
Manav Suthar turned the ball at pace against Afghanistan
Manav Suthar bowled a stump line delivery, but the ball turned and drifted away sharply in front of the batter. Ashraf went to whack it across the line, but the away turn meant the ball could only get outside edge.
His high drift was also the reason why Rahmat Shah lost his stumps while sweeping. The drift and sharp turn with a late dip meant the ball could only hit his pads before crashing into the sticks.
Length consistency
Apart from getting ample assistance off the deck due to his unique skills, Manav Suthar also showed ample accuracy with lengths. He consistently landed the ball in the 4-6 meter lengths and hardly missed his mark.
During the first innings, Manav bowled 85.60% of his total deliveries and earned five of his six wickets from this area. No other spinner landed as many balls in the 4-6 meter length, with Washington Sundar (75%) being at a fairly distant position.
Suthar also produced 37.87% false shots, again the highest from spinners from either side. Since he bowls quicker through the air, the batters don’t have time to adjust.
Manav Suthar showed tremendous accuracy
Combining that with his vicious turn and drift, the batter hardly has anything to play with. This was a kind of deck where batters found it easier to adjust to shorter lengths, as the ball came slightly slow.
So, Manav Suthar ensured his lengths were immaculate and gave him every chance of a wicket. In contrast, Kuldeep Yadav landed only 55.73% deliveries in the 4-6 meter lengths and bowled too full at times.
Unsurprisingly, he was wicketless throughout the innings and leaked 3.20 runs per over. Manav’s ability to hold lengths despite bowling more than twice as many overs (22) as other Indian spinners depicts his consistency.
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This included his break-free 13-over run on Day 2. He was accurate, incisive, and sharp throughout the spell in muggy conditions.
This was his maiden Test match, but he looked prepared to adapt to the conditions straight away. The two more experienced spinners - Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav - couldn’t find the same accuracy, at least in the first innings against Afghanistan.
The hope that Suthar brings
India find themselves in a tricky position in Test cricket. Their transition is not limited to the batting department; even the bowling setup has been enduring a change.
Ravichandran Ashwin has retired, while Ravindra Jadeja is ageing. While he’s still India’s best bet, Jadeja’s regression has been visible in recent Test series, particularly in his wicket-taking abilities.
Meanwhile, Axar Patel has gone out of favour due to his poor red-ball performances. His bowling needs more work in this format, for he tends to become one-dimensional at times.
Kuldeep Yadav can blow hot and cold, as was the case against Afghanistan. Washington Sundar remains on a learning curve, but he has areas to work on before becoming a finished product.
Hence, India need as many options as possible before Jadeja calls time in the format. That’s where Manav Suthar comes as a beacon of hope.
He has the skills and temperament to succeed at this level, and early indications are encouraging. Having toiled in domestic cricket, Suthar has honed his skills in the best possible way and brings certain attributes that are hard to replicate.
Few bowlers can boast of turning the ball at pace while also maintaining accuracy like Suthar. Unlike Axar and Jadeja, to an extent, he doesn’t depend on skidding the ball through with the angle and brings the ability to fetch wickets even outside the Asian conditions.
Moreover, he can also contribute with the bat and has already played a handy knock against Afghanistan at No.8. That’s everything India need at the moment, as they look for newer options in the spin department.
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