New Chandigarh: Debutant left-arm spinner Manav Suthar produced a memorable performance on the biggest stage as India seized complete control of the one-off Test against Afghanistan on Day 2. The young spinner starred with the ball after India’s batters laid a solid foundation, leaving Afghanistan struggling and staring at a huge deficit.
After resuming from a commanding position, India declared their first innings at a massive 564/8, putting the visitors under immediate pressure. The imposing total reflected India’s dominance with the bat and gave the bowlers ample room to attack Afghanistan aggressively.
The spotlight, however, shifted to Manav Suthar when Afghanistan began their reply. The Rajasthan spinner wasted little time in making an impact, striking in his very first over of Test cricket and scripting a rare piece of history. With that breakthrough, Suthar became the first Indian bowler in 25 years to claim a wicket in his debut over in a men’s Test match.
Suthar continued to trouble the Afghan batters with his accuracy, flight and control. The left-arm spinner picked up three crucial wickets, finishing the day as India’s standout performer with the ball. His disciplined spell dismantled Afghanistan’s middle order and ensured the visitors never found any momentum in their innings.
India’s pace attack also contributed effectively, with Prasidh Krishna providing important breakthroughs at regular intervals. The combined effort from the bowling unit reduced Afghanistan to 113/5 at stumps, still trailing India by a massive 451 runs.
Cricket experts and former players were quick to praise the debutant. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar described Suthar as a strong contender for the Test format, highlighting the composure and maturity he displayed in his first international appearance.
Suthar’s rise to the national team has been one of perseverance and consistent performances in domestic cricket. The young all-rounder from Rajasthan earned his maiden Test call-up after impressing selectors with his performances across formats. His debut performance is likely to strengthen his case for future opportunities in India’s red-ball setup.
Earlier in the day, India’s batters ensured complete control of the contest. The strong first-innings total allowed captain Shubman Gill to attack with confidence and use his bowlers aggressively from the outset. The strategy paid immediate dividends as Afghanistan struggled to cope with the pressure created by both the scoreboard and India’s disciplined bowling.
With three days still remaining in the match, India are firmly in the driver’s seat and appear headed toward a comfortable victory unless Afghanistan can produce a remarkable fightback. The visitors will now depend heavily on their remaining batters to avoid a follow-on and reduce the deficit.
For Manav Suthar, however, Day 2 will remain unforgettable. From taking a wicket in his first over to finishing as India’s leading bowler on debut, the youngster announced his arrival in international cricket in style. His performance not only strengthened India’s position in the match but also provided a glimpse of a promising future for Indian spin bowling.
