Manav Suthar Outshines R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja In India vs Sri Lanka Tests

Manav Suthar outshone Ashwin, Jadeja vs SL [Source: AFP]

Manav Suthar had a memorable maiden tour of Sri Lanka, playing a pivotal role in India's series victory over the home team. Led by Shubman Gill, India registered a clinical win in the first Test at Galle International Stadium before Sonal Dinusha's resilient hundred prevented them from sealing a whitewash in the Colombo Test. 

However, although the tourists were kept at bay by Sonal Dinusha throughout day 5 of the eventful Test match in Colombo, Manav Suthar finished the tour with an elite record, outperforming legends like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the process. 

Manav Suthar takes most wickets in a 2-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka

Manav Suthar went past the talismanic duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, registering the most wickets by a bowler in a two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka. 

Ashwin had picked 12 wickets in the home series in 2022, while Jadeja held the first position on the elite list for nine years, having bagged 13 scalps on India's tour of Sri Lanka in 2017. Meanwhile, Manav Suthar finished the India tour of Sri Lanka 2026 with 16 wickets, the most by any bowler in a two-match series between the South Asian rivals. 

Most wickets in a single IND vs SL 2-match Test series

• Manav Suthar- 16 wickets in 4 innings, India tour of Sri Lanka 2026
• Ravindra Jadeja- 13 wickets in 4 innings, India tour of Sri Lanka 2017
• Ravichandran Ashwin- 12 wickets in 4 innings, Sri Lanka tour of India 2022
• Nandlal Shivlal Yadav- 11 wickets in 4 innings, Sri Lanka tour of India 1986/87
• Suraj Randiv- 11 wickets in 3 innings, India tour of Sri Lanka 2010

Also Read: Manav Suthar In Sri Lanka: Indians With Best Test Figures In Each Country

As mentioned above, Suthar now has the most wickets in a single 2-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka, followed by Jadeja and Ashwin in second and third spots, respectively. Former off-spinner Nandlal Shivlal Yadav is fourth, with Suraj Randiv being the solitary Sri Lankan on the list with 11 wickets. 

Manav Suthar establishes himself as India's frontline spinner after Jadeja, Ashwin

Suthar was given his maiden Test cap for the one-off Test between India and Afghanistan. He made an immediate impact in that game, scalping seven wickets, including a six-wicket haul. His impressive return in that match made him a regular in the Test setup, as Suthar retained his place in the India squad for the Sri Lanka series. 

He has had an ideal start to his Test career, scalping 23 wickets in four innings. Suthar's ability to generate significant turn and make the batters fall into his trap makes him a valuable asset. With Jadeja being at the twilight of his career, Manav Suthar can smoothen India's transition process in Test cricket after Ashwin's retirement. 

Manav Suthar can be India's lone frontline spinner in New Zealand Tests

Manav Suthar was among India's frontline spinners alongside Kuldeep Yadav and Saransh Jain for the Sri Lanka series. While Ravindra Jadeja is expected to retain his spot for his batting abilities, Suthar can pip Kuldeep and Saransh for the frontline spinner's slot for the India vs New Zealand Tests. 

The seam-friendly conditions in New Zealand will likely prompt the BCCI selection committee to choose only one designated spinner for the tour. 

And Suthar, having comprehensively outperformed Kuldeep (1 wicket in 2 innings) and Saransh (3 wickets in 3 innings), will likely be preferred for the role when India visit New Zealand for a two-match Test series in November 2026. 

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