Manav Suthar’s rapid emergence in Test cricket has drawn a big endorsement from former India batter Aakash Chopra, who believes the young spinner has the qualities to eventually take over Ravindra Jadeja’s role. Chopra went a step further, calling Suthar an “upgraded version” of Jadeja as a bowler.
Suthar’s latest performance strengthened that argument, with the 24-year-old claiming 4/76 in India’s first innings against Sri Lanka in Galle. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked whether Suthar had already cemented his place in India’s plans for Asian conditions.
SL vs IND, 1st Test Day 3: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
“I will say yes because he is a mighty guy. When he releases the ball, it drifts, bounces, and turns. He dismisses you while defending. When you can make the opposing batter lick dust while defending, and that too repeatedly, that tells you this guy has the might,” Chopra said.
“Along with that, he also bats, which means you can keep him in mind even in overseas conditions. I am seeing him as a successor to Ravindra Jadeja because Jaddu will go at some stage, and you will need somebody like him. If I look at him purely as a bowler, I think he is Jadeja’s upgraded version,” he added.
IS MANAV SUTHAR THE JADEJA SUCCESSOR?
Suthar’s performance in Galle offered plenty of evidence behind Chopra’s assessment. He struck with his very first delivery of the innings to remove Dinesh Chandimal and later accounted for Lahiru Udara, using flight, dip, turn and bounce to keep Sri Lanka’s batters under pressure.
He finished with four wickets as India bowled Sri Lanka out for 284, securing a 178-run first-innings lead. His spell came after Mohammed Siraj had removed Nishan Fernando with only his second delivery, while Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja also chipped in.
Chopra believes Suthar’s appeal goes beyond simply being another spinner suited to Asian pitches. The Rajasthan youngster has also shown enough with the bat to potentially offer India flexibility in overseas conditions.
“Suthar has played only two Test matches, and he is consistently saying that he is good. He comes from Sri Ganganagar. It’s far away from a cricket hotspot. However, to come from there and then to focus on long-form cricket and consistently take wickets, Duleep Trophy, India A, then India, and a Player of the Match performance in his first match itself,” Chopra said.
Suthar had already made an impression on debut against Afghanistan, taking seven wickets across the two innings and scoring 28 runs. His latest showing against Sri Lanka has now added another layer to his credentials.
SUTHAR’S CASE GROWS STRONGER
The comparison with Jadeja is significant given the veteran all-rounder’s standing in Indian cricket. Chopra’s argument is not simply about replacing Jadeja immediately, but about Suthar developing into the kind of bowler India can trust across different conditions.
Jadeja himself has evolved significantly during his career, becoming one of India’s most reliable all-rounders. Chopra believes Suthar may have already shown some of the qualities that could allow him to operate effectively without needing a heavily spin-friendly surface.
With only two Tests behind him, Suthar still has plenty to prove. But after a Player of the Match-winning debut and another four-wicket haul in Galle, the early signs have certainly encouraged the comparisons.
– Ends
