India’s newest Test spinner Manav Suthar revealed that he began preparing with the red ball during IPL 2026 itself after sensing a Test opportunity could be around the corner.
The 23-year-old left-arm spinner made a dream start to his international career in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, claiming 6/33 in the first innings and becoming only the fifth Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut.
Suthar, who played under Shubman Gill at Gujarat Titans in the IPL, received his maiden Test cap from senior spinner Kuldeep Yadav before the match. Looking back on the moment, he described it as the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.
“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 on JioStar.
His debut could hardly have gone better. India registered their biggest-ever Test victory by runs, while Suthar’s six-wicket haul put him in elite company. He also became the first Indian spinner since Ravichandran Ashwin in 2011 to take a five-for on Test debut.
Suthar revealed that once he entered the selection conversation, he started preparing specifically for the red-ball format despite being in the middle of an IPL season.
“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 said.
The spinner also explained how he quickly assessed the conditions in New Chandigarh and realised there was enough help for slow bowlers.
“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,” he said.
Only Narendra Hirwani’s remarkable match figures of 16/136 against the West Indies in 1988 remain better than Suthar’s effort among Indian bowlers on Test debut.
Despite the historic performance, Suthar said he focused only on maintaining consistency and sticking to his strengths.
“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.