Indian Players To Win Man Of The Match Award On Test Debut

Manav Suthar bagged Player of the Match on debut. PC- AFP

Manav Suthar had an exceptional start to his Test career, taking seven wickets in the IND vs AFG one-off Test. The left-arm spinner was one of the primary reasons behind India's emphatic victory of 300 runs and an innings.

Bowling in his maiden innings, the Rajasthan-based tweaker bagged six-for 33 - the best figures on debut for India by a left-arm spinner. Thanks to his efforts, the Shubman Gill-led men were able to restrict Afghanistan for 152 runs in the first innings. 

Later, the hosts enforced the follow-on, and Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav were the chief architects in that innings, sharing seven wickets between them as the visitors were wrapped up for 112 runs in just 35.5 overs.

Manav Suthar as a solid replacement for Ravindra Jadeja

For his seven wickets in the match, Manav Suthar was the Player of the Match. The 23-year-old, who played over Harsh Dubey, answered the doubters who are asking for replacements after the Ravi Ashwin-Ravindra Jadeja era.

Although Jadeja is still playing, Suthar can be looked at as a like-for-like replacement for the prolific allrounder. Not only did he bowl as a traditional spinner, but he also showed that he knows how to bat, during his 28-run knock. 

Also Read: Why WTC Table Won't Change Despite India's Win Over Afghanistan

During his debut Test match, Suthar showed he is capable of darting the ball but can toss the ball up, which makes him an all-conditions player for Tests. 

Manav Suthar joins an elite list of debutants

More on his credentials later. Manav Suthar became the ninth Indian cricketer to bag the Player of the Match on debut. 

Interestingly, the he is the only second all-rounder, after Ravichandran Ashwin, to do so. Moreover, he is the first left-arm spinner to bag the award on his Test debut for India. 

Indians to bag Player of the Match on debut

Manav Suthar's domestic performances

Hailing from Rajasthan, Manav Suthar has come up by grinding it hard in the domestic circles. In his brief FC career, the 23-year-old has played 30 matches, taking 136 at an exceptional average of 24.89 and a strike rate of 51.2. 

He has been more than handy as a lower-order batter in the red-ball format, scoring 973 runs at 25.60 apiece, including one century and six half-centuries. 

Playing in the IPL 2026, he got his reckoning, playing four matches for the Gujarat Titans this season. Although it was the T20 format, his stint at GT proved that he can take the pressure of international level. 

What's next for Manav Suthar?

As IND vs AFG was just a one-off affair and India are not playing a Test match until July, Suthar will need to head back to the grassroots to improve his craft. He will come in handy during the tour of Sri Lanka. 

Having said that, Suthar might miss the selection for Down Under, when India will visit New Zealand for a two-match Test series later in November. 

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