India registered their biggest-ever Test victory by defeating Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs on Day 3 of the one-off Test match in Mullanpur.
After winning the toss, the hosts chose to bat first and declared their first innings at a massive 564/8. Shubman Gill (126) and KL Rahul (100) slammed superb centuries.
In reply, Afghanistan’s first innings folded for just 152 runs. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar stole the show on Test debut for India, returning with spectacular figures of 6 for 33 in 22 overs.
Forced to follow on, the visitors were bowled out for a mere 112 runs in 35.5 overs. Washington Sundar tore through the line-up with 4/36, while Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with 3/30.
Suthar, who ended the Test match with seven wickets to his name and also contributed 28 runs with the bat, was deservedly declared Player-of-the-Match.
Speaking during the post-match presentation, Manav Suthar called the debut experience an "unreal feeling"
"It was a very unreal feeling. It has been my dream from the very beginning to play for India and to play Test cricket. So it was an incredible moment for me, and I honestly felt quite unreal. Even when I went out to bat, I felt quite comfortable. As I settled in and faced a few deliveries, I realised there was a bit of assistance for the spinners on the wicket. Then, when I came on to bowl and delivered my first over, I got the same feeling. After that, my only focus was to keep using the right line, length and pace," Suthar said.
“Yes, initially my focus was on understanding how the wicket was playing. That's why I wanted to rely on my stock delivery as much as possible. Once I understood that the wicket was a little slow and required some variation in pace, I started making those adjustments. But the main idea was always to make my stock ball as effective as possible,” he added.
Suthar's discipline earned him the captain's trust and the second new ball, a responsibility the youngster described as a "matter of great pride."
"(How did it feel getting the second new ball?) It's a matter of great pride. Being trusted with that responsibility means a lot. (The review he wanted to take and was denied) It was more of a heat-of-the-moment decision. From where I was standing, it looked absolutely plumb, so I felt it was worth taking the review," he remarked.
Suthar finally shared the biggest lesson he learned from this Test debut. "The biggest lesson is that consistency is everything. You have to keep bowling in the same area over and over again. I think that's the most important thing in Test cricket. It's a format that demands a lot of patience. That's what I've learned -- keep being patient, stick to your plans and keep hitting the right areas consistently," he concluded.
