Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Mullanpur, June 8: Young Indian spinner Manav Suthar produced a memorable performance on his Test debut by claiming a five-wicket haul against Afghanistan national cricket team at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Monday. With this achievement, Suthar became the tenth Indian bowler and the seventh spinner from the country to take five wickets in an innings on Test debut.

The left-arm spinner delivered an outstanding spell, finishing with figures of 6 wickets for 33 runs from 22 overs. His remarkable performance played a crucial role in dismantling the Afghan batting lineup and immediately placed his name among some of India’s most successful debutants in Test cricket history.

Suthar’s figures of 6/33 are now jointly the third-best bowling figures by an Indian on Test debut. The achievement is particularly significant given the rich tradition of spin bowling in Indian cricket. His control, consistency, and ability to extract turn from the surface impressed both teammates and cricket analysts, making his debut one of the most memorable by an Indian bowler in recent years.

The record for the best bowling figures by an Indian on Test debut still belongs to Narendra Hirwani, who produced a historic performance against the West Indies cricket team in Chennai in 1988. Hirwani took 8 wickets for 61 runs and followed it up with 8 wickets for 75 runs in the same match, registering one of the greatest debut performances in Test cricket history.

Suthar’s achievement places him alongside some of India's legendary bowlers who made an immediate impact at the international level. The list includes renowned names such as Ravichandran Ashwin, Dilip Doshi, and Syed Abid Ali.

The best bowling figures by Indian bowlers on Test debut are as follows:

1. Narendra Hirwani – 8/61 vs West Indies, Chennai, 1988

2. Narendra Hirwani – 8/75 vs West Indies, Chennai, 1988

3. Manav Suthar – 6/33 vs Afghanistan, New Chandigarh, 2026

4. Ravichandran Ashwin – 6/47 vs West Indies, Delhi, 2011

5. Syed Abid Ali – 6/55 vs Australia, Adelaide, 1967

6. Dilip Doshi – 6/103 vs Australia, Chennai, 1979

Suthar’s dream debut has generated considerable excitement among Indian cricket fans and selectors alike. The young spinner’s ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stage suggests a bright future ahead. As India continues to develop its next generation of cricketers, Manav Suthar’s stunning debut performance against Afghanistan may well be remembered as the beginning of a promising international career.