Manav Suthar’s strong start to Test cricket has earned high praise from former India batter Ajay Jadeja, who likened the young left-arm spinner to an unpolished jewel while describing Ravindra Jadeja as the “Kohinoor” of India’s spin attack.
Suthar picked up 4 for 76 as India bowled Sri Lanka out for 284 on the third day of the first Test in Galle. Ravindra Jadeja also played a crucial role with 3 for 57, ensuring India’s spinners kept the hosts under sustained pressure throughout most of the innings.
“These are great signs for Indian cricket. We have praised Ravindra Jadeja a lot just now. He also bowls left-arm spin, but he is a totally different bowler. Jadeja is at the top of his career. This is just the start of his career, and we are seeing him outperform from now itself,” Ajay Jadeja said on Sony Sports.
SL vs IND, 1st Test Day 3: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
The former India international highlighted the immense benefit Suthar gains from operating alongside one of the most experienced left-arm spinners in world cricket.
“The advantage for him is that he has a senior left-arm spinner with him who has so much experience. If Jadeja is the Kohinoor, which is already polished and put on the crown, he is that jewel that will be polished now. We haven’t yet seen its shine,” he added.
Early Strikes and Setbacks
Suthar’s spell proved particularly decisive during the opening session. Sri Lanka stumbled to 99 for 5 as the young spinner consistently found the right length, extracting turn, dip, and bounce from the Galle pitch.
He struck with his very first delivery of the match, drawing a faint edge from Dinesh Chandimal that was taken comfortably by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Lahiru Udara, who had looked composed early on, became Suthar’s next victim when a loose shot was caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully.
Bowling consistently at speeds over 85 km/h, Suthar gave Sri Lanka’s middle order very little room to settle.
However, the hosts mounted a spirited recovery through Niroshan Dickwella and Dinusha. The pair shared a 146-run stand for the sixth wicket, holding India at bay through much of the second session.
Dickwella struck a fluent 80 off 115 balls, while Dinusha went on to notch his maiden international century, reaching 100 off 168 deliveries.
INDIA HOLD ADVANTAGE IN GALLE
India finally broke the stubborn stand when Dickwella edged Prasidh Krishna through to Pant. Dinusha completed his century shortly after, only to be trapped leg-before by Ravindra Jadeja on the very next ball.
Jadeja finished with three wickets as India eventually wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings for 284, securing a dominant 178-run first-innings lead.
Earlier in the day, India had resumed their first innings at 460 for nine, adding two runs before being bowled out for 462. Mohammed Siraj then made an immediate impact with his second ball of the innings, setting the tone for a relentless bowling display.
Suthar’s four-wicket effort stands as another clear statement from a spinner at the start of his international journey. With Ravindra Jadeja leading the attack alongside him, India look well-stocked with both a proven match-winner and an exciting young talent honing his craft at the highest level.
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