Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar starred with the ball on debut as India registered their biggest-ever Test victory by defeating Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in the one-off Test match in Mullanpur.
In reply to India’s massive 564/8, Afghanistan’s first innings folded for just 152 runs. Suthar stole the show, 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. This time around, Suthar bagged one scalp while Washington Sundar (4-36) and Kuldeep Yadav (3-30) shared seven wickets between them.
Manav 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 on JioStar, Suthar opened up about the emotions of receiving his debut India cap from Kuldeep and revealed that after being picked for the solitary Test, he started practising with the red ball during the IPL.
"Gautam sir and the skipper informed me that I would be making my debut. It was a very proud moment because, ever since I started playing, it had been my dream, my father's dream, and everyone's dream for me to play Test cricket for India. From the very first day I started playing and as I progressed through the ranks, red-ball cricket meant everything to me.
"It is the pinnacle of the sport. So, whether I was playing U-19 cricket or the Ranji Trophy, the goal was always to play Test cricket for India. Kuldeep bhai's speech while presenting me with the cap was very motivating. Everyone encouraged and motivated me a lot, so it felt really special," Suthar said.
"When my name came up in the team, I was practising with the red ball during the IPL as well, thinking about how I would approach things if given the opportunity. After coming here, I had three or four long practice sessions. With bowling, it's not really about how many hours you put in. If you enjoy bowling, you can bowl 20-25 overs without even realising it. So, the key is to keep bowling as much as you can," he revealed.
Sharing insights into his bowling plans for the New Chandigarh surface, the 23-year-old spinner stated: "When they were bowling, a few deliveries were turning. When I was batting, the odd ball was holding up. So, I felt there might be some assistance for the spinners on that track. As soon as I bowled my first over, the ball was turning, so I tried to bowl my stock ball as much as possible on that wicket."
Suthar’s stellar bowling figures (6/33) are the best by an Indian bowler on Test debut since Narendra Hirwani's 8/61 in 1988.
"I didn't want to get carried away, but my focus was on consistently putting the ball in the right area. Since the beginning, I have focused on spot-bowling, and whatever consistency I have today is because of that. My favourite wicket was obviously the first one, my debut wicket. It will always remain my favourite. There was a good battle going on, so my focus was simply to keep bowling consistently in the same area," he said.
(With IANS Inputs)
