Ajinkya Rahane Commends Spinner Manav Suthar Following Historic Test Start in Sri Lanka
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has praised emerging left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, commending his technical discipline, deceptive pace, and quick learning curve following an outstanding start to his Test cricket career. Across his first two Test appearances during India’s tour of Sri Lanka, Suthar captured 17 wickets at an average of 11.35.
What Happened
India established a 1-0 lead in their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka with a 165-run victory during the opening fixture at Galle in 2026. Manav Suthar made an immediate impact, matching a historic milestone previously held only by Narendra Hirwani by claiming at least six wickets in each of his first two Test appearances.
In the second Test match of the series, Suthar claimed four wickets in the first innings before recording figures of 6 for 55 in the second innings. This performance secured his maiden ten-wicket match haul in Test cricket and established him as the youngest Indian bowler to record a ten-wicket haul in an away Test match.
Reviewing the performances on his YouTube channel, Ajinkya Rahane identified two defining strengths in the spinner’s approach: his capacity to deceive batters regardless of pitch conditions and his ability to alter his pace and angles tactically.
Key Highlights
- Remarkable Bowling Numbers: Suthar took 17 wickets in his first two Test matches, recording a bowling average of 11.35.
- Historic Milestone: Suthar became only the second Indian bowler after Narendra Hirwani to capture six or more wickets in his opening two Test appearances.
- Away Record: By taking ten wickets in the second Test against Sri Lanka (four in the first innings and 6 for 55 in the second), Suthar became the youngest Indian bowler to claim a ten-wicket haul in an away Test.
- Rahane’s Technical Assessment: Rahane noted that Suthar generates pace through the air and drift, meaning he does not rely solely on turning tracks to challenge batters.
- Tactical Maturity: Rahane commended Suthar’s variation in speeds, astute use of bowling angles, and tailored strategies against individual batters.
Why This Matters
Rahane emphasized that a spinner’s ability to succeed across varying surface conditions is vital. Because Suthar relies on speed through the air, disciplined line and length, and deceptive release rather than surface turn alone, he can remain effective even when pitches offer minimal assistance.
Additionally, demonstrating tactical awareness and adjusting bowling plans to different opponents so early in an international career has positioned Suthar as a significant prospect within the Indian bowling setup.
What to Watch Next
India’s bowling group will next prepare for a contrasting challenge during their upcoming Test tour of New Zealand. Rahane noted that playing conditions in New Zealand will differ significantly from the subcontinental pitches experienced in Sri Lanka.
Pointing to the team’s history of adapting well over the past five to six years, Rahane stressed that reading conditions and securing adequate preparation time—including a practice match similar to the one played in Sri Lanka—will be critical for the squad physically, mentally, and skill-wise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many wickets did Manav Suthar take in his first two Tests?
Suthar collected 17 wickets across his first two Test matches at an average of 11.35.
What historic records did Suthar establish during the Sri Lanka series?
He became the second Indian bowler after Narendra Hirwani to take six or more wickets in each of his first two Tests, and the youngest Indian bowler to secure a ten-wicket haul in an away Test.
What specific technical qualities did Ajinkya Rahane praise?
Rahane highlighted Suthar’s speed through the air that keeps him independent of pitch conditions, his disciplined line and length, natural drift, and his ability to alter speeds and angles to challenge different batters.
What is India’s next scheduled Test challenge mentioned by Rahane?
India is preparing for an upcoming Test assignment in New Zealand, where the team will face conditions distinct from those in Sri Lanka.
Source: Crictracker