Murali Kartik backs India’s spin successor to Ravindra Jadeja

Former India cricketer Murali Kartik has backed Manav Suthar as India’s next generation spin successor to Ravindra Jadeja. The upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka starting on Saturday will be crucial in establishing India’s next generation of spin bowlers. Jadeja, born on December 6, 1988, is on the wrong side of thirty and in the twilight of his career, making the emergence of new talent essential for India’s future.

Kartik made the comments in an interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network on Wednesday. The former spinner praised Suthar’s skill and consistency, highlighting his performance against Afghanistan in June when he took a seven-wicket haul in the one-off game.

“I think he is a very, very good bowler, let’s not compare him with anybody. He is old school, he has got many things going very well for him. For me, I was jumping with joy when I was doing that game against Afghanistan, because I was calling that game, and for me to see somebody release the ball like that and have that kind of consistency and have that kind of skill. After a very long time, we are seeing a bowler like that. Maybe for India, it has come at a good time,” Kartik said to Sony Sports Network.

Jadeja in twilight of career, India must plan succession

Kartik acknowledged the delicate position of discussing Jadeja’s future while recognising the need for succession planning in India’s spin bowling unit. The former spinner was candid about the timeline for transitioning responsibility to the next generation of spinners.

“Ravindra Jadeja will punch me the next time he meets me, but at the end of the day, he is on the wrong side of thirty. He is in the twilight of his career, and we don’t know how long he is going to play. From that point of view, you are always looking at passing the baton,” Kartik said.

India’s quest to reach the WTC final will hinge on how Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain fare in Galle and Colombo during the Test series in Sri Lanka. The performances of these spinners will be instrumental in determining whether India can establish a strong foundation for its spin bowling unit in the coming years.

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