India vs Afghanistan. Image Credits: BCCI
Test cricket returned for India on Saturday morning as they take on Afghanistan for the only Test of the tour in Mullanpur. This is the first time these two teams have faced each other in a Test match since their only meeting in 2018, when the Afghans played their maiden Test.
With some senior bowlers rested, it was time for Manav Suthar to get his debut cap as cap number 319 after impressing in First Class cricket over the past few seasons. He replaces Ravindra Jadeja in the three-man spin attack, which includes Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar.
Manav Suthar replacing Ravindra Jadeja- A glimpse into the future?
As Suthar received his coveted baggy blue, it marked the beginning of a new era of spin bowling for India. The left-arm spinner replacing the legendary all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the playing XI for the only Test means neither of the famous duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin played this game.
Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket in the middle of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25. The subsequent home Test season, when India faced West Indies and South Africa, was the first time since 2011 that he did not play a home Test.
Now that Ravindra Jadeja is also out of the team for this Test, it marks the first time since 2010 that neither Ashwin nor Jadeja is in the playing XI of a home Test.
In this period, there have been several debutants in the spin department, including Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Jayant Yadav and Shahbaz Nadeem, but Ashwin or Jadeja remained the constant.
Also Read: Who is Manav Suthar? Test Cap Number 319 For India
What is Manav Suthar’s First Class record?
As the 23-year-old left-arm orthodox bowler makes his debut for the Indian team, it is worthy to note that Manav Suthar has been brilliant for his state, Rajasthan, in FC cricket, showing great control with his lines and lengths at a very young age.
Since making his debut in February 2022, he has played 29 FC matches, which include time with India A, Central Zone and the Rest of India. In these games, he has picked 129 wickets at an average of 25.75. With the bat, he has 945 runs in 48 innings, including 6 fifties and a hundred.
Interestingly, Harsh Dubey, who was also in contention for this place in the XI, has better FC numbers, picking 133 wickets in 49 innings at an average of 23.26. He has also scored 1026 runs with 9 fifties to his name.
While Suthar’s selection over Dubey would raise eyebrows, at no point in his FC career has Suthar disappointed his team in any of the departments and remains a good fit in this XI.
India prepares for the last leg of WTC 2025-27
Having missed out on the WTC 2025 final, India are once again in a precarious situation on the points table. With three series played, India are 6th on the table, with a whitewash at home against South Africa.
While this Afghanistan series is not a part of the WTC cycle, it will play an important role in how India goes about their business in the remaining matches, which include tours of Sri Lanka and New Zealand and a home BGT in 2027.
Also Read: BCCI Takes Final Call On Hardik Pandya For IND vs AFG ODIs
