Manav Suthar made an immediate impact on his Test debut by claiming three wickets to restrict Afghanistan to 113/5 at stumps on Day 2 of the one-off Test ar New Chandigarh on Sunday.
Suthar struck early and removed opener Abdul Malik (16) in the sixth over of Afghanistan’s innings. He then delivered another breakthrough in the 20th over by dismissing wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz (12) before sending back Afsar Zazi (3) to keep the visitors under pressure. Earlier in India’s first innings, he also contributed with the bat and scored a valuable 28 runs off 41 balls helping India to score a mammoth total of 264/8.
Speaking to the host broadcaster after the day’s play, the left-arm spinner reflected on his approach and preparations before his Test debut. “My focus was to bowl in the right areas and back my strengths,” he said. “There was help from the surface, so my idea was to get the landing right. Got to know on the morning when I came to the ground about my Test debut. I was prepared last evening. My strength is to turn the ball. So that is what I tried to do. I wanted to land in consistent areas, that was my focus.”
Suthar earned his Test call-up after impressive performances in domestic cricket and for India A. He picked up 163 wickets across first class and List A matches.
He also opened up about his dream to represent India and the support he received from captain Shubman Gill. “Had dreamt of playing for India when I started playing Ranji Trophy and domestic cricket. Thankful now. [Playing with Gill] We have been playing together. So he also knows my strengths and keeps telling me about lines and lengths,” Manav said
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The post IND vs AFG: ‘Dreamt of playing for India’: Manav Suthar after his dream debut in India’s Test side appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
