JAIPUR: For some time, Indian selectors have been looking for a long-term option to carry forward the kind of spin-bowling allrounder balance Ravindra Jadeja has offered for years. That search has now picked up a fresh name, with Manav Suthar emerging as a prospect after sustained domestic output earned him a first-ever Test call-up for the one-off match against Afghanistan. The selection also marks a notable milestone for Rajasthan, with Suthar becoming the first player from the state to reach the Test arena since Pankaj Singh did so in 2014.
The 23-year-old left-arm spinner, born in Sri Ganganagar in northern Rajasthan, trains at the SK Bihani Cricket Academy in Jaipur under the guidance of coach Dheeraj Sharma. Sharma explained that Suthar’s cricket journey began when his father brought him to the academy in 2014 with a simple intention. “Manav’s father came to the academy with him and said, ‘Isko batsman banana’,” Sharma recalled, adding that after trial sessions he realised the young player’s natural strength was in bowling. The plan, Sharma said, was to build his spin-bowling skills first, and then work on his batting as his game developed.
Suthar, for his part, acknowledged that his early mindset was closer to batting than bowling—like many youngsters who arrive at coaching setups dreaming of big scores. He said the turning point came after the coaching staff noticed him bowl. “My coach watched me bowl and told me to shift my focus toward spin bowling,” he said. According to Suthar, that single piece of feedback redirected his efforts and set the foundation for his current path. He also shared that he has studied the games of established spinners closely, naming Yuvraj Singh as a favourite and describing Ravichandran Ashwin as his main inspiration when it comes to spin bowling. Suthar said he even got an opportunity to interact with Ashwin during the India ‘A’ tour, where he received useful guidance and observations that helped him understand the finer aspects of the craft.
Behind the scenes, the family’s support shaped the early steps of his career. Suthar’s father, Jagdish Kumar, a physical education teacher at a private school, reportedly enrolled him at the academy without first consulting his wife. Kumar said her initial response was practical—asking why he had made that move and suggesting their son should continue focusing on studies. Over time, though, the progress convinced her as well, and she became proud of the decision she had once questioned. Kumar linked his own interest in sport to his profession, explaining that once he noticed his son developing a genuine liking for cricket, he made the move that ultimately opened the door to structured training and competitive growth.
With a maiden Test squad call-up now on his record, Manav Suthar will look to make an impression in the one-off encounter against Afghanistan—carrying the hopes of a generation of Rajasthan talent while also stepping into the wider conversation about India’s next long-term spin-bowling allrounder.
