Shamik Chakrabarty, Colombo
Finally, after three innings in the series, Sri Lanka decided to take the attack to Manav Suthar. For the young spinner, who is playing only his third Test, the approach from Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis was a rude awakening.
Following on, Sri Lanka’s top order showed positive intent and was aggressive against Suthar — India’s main wicket-taking threat. There was a phase when the left-arm spinner was going at more than five runs per over. So far, he has bowled 18 overs in the second innings, accounting for a couple of wickets and giving away 81 runs. Two wickets post-tea, when India came up with a counter-ploy of choking the batsmen for singles and twos, contributed to Suthar bettering his bowling figures.
Test cricket has proved to be relatively easy for the 24-year-old from Rajasthan. He bagged a six-for on his debut against Afghanistan, and in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, he returned with a 10-wicket match haul. Being at the receiving end of a batting assault was new to him, and according to Sairaj Bahutule, India’s spin-bowling coach, having a different experience as part of his learning curve would serve the bowler well.
“Again, it is an experience for him (Suthar),” said Bahutule at the post-day presser. “This is just his third Test match. He is going to face different situations, as he is going to play along. And he is well prepared for that, to be very honest. He knew that they were going to charge at it. He created those opportunities, but it didn’t go in hand (of the fielders). It went around the players. He is definitely a learning cricketer. What I like about him is his resilience.”
Sri Lanka refused to give up without a fight, and cricket was attritional on Day 4 of the second Test here at the SSC. In the end, India inched closer to completing a series whitewash.
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