Mullanpur: Akshar Patel came in 2021. Five years later in 2026 Manav Suthar (Manav Suthar). This youngster made his debut as India’s specialist spinner. Eleven years later. No specialist Test spinner made his debut in the Indian jersey during this period. The 23-year-old spinner will be seen playing in the current Test against Afghanistan (India vs Afghanistan Test Match) in Mullanpur. He has been given a chance in the XI in this match which started on Saturday. Manav took the Test cap from Kuldeep Yadav. But who is this human healer?

Ashwin and Jadeja have led the spin attack in India’s Test format for the past decade and a half. Among them, Ashwin retired from international cricket a long time ago. India played a Test at home for the first time since November 2010, without Ashwin and Jadeja.

Who is this human healer?

Manav Suthar was born on August 3, 2002 in Sriganganagar, Rajasthan. The 23-year-old Manav has established himself as a slow left-arm orthodox bowler and a formidable batsman in the lower order. Manav made his first-class cricket debut for Rajasthan in 2022. So far he has scored 129 runs in 29 matches in domestic cricket in first class cricket. He batted at an average of 25.76. He has taken 5 or more wickets six times. He took 10 wickets in a match 3 times. He took 8 for 33 against Puducherry once, his career best so far. Manav has shown skill with the ball and bat. 945 runs, including a century.

Manav’s main battle for a chance in this Test was with the in-form Harsh Dube in the Vidarbha jersey. However, Manav is currently playing in the jersey of Gujarat Titans under Gill’s captaincy. The Indian captain saw the young spinner from the front. So the stakes were already heavy. Ahead of the match, coach Gautam Gambhir had hinted that the young faces being recruited would be given opportunities as part of the long-term plan.

Indian captain Shubman Gill won the toss and decided to bat first. India’s aim is to put pressure on the inexperienced Afghan opponents by getting big runs on the board.