Slug: Suthar’s Historic Spell
New Delhi
India’s rising left-arm spinner Manav Suthar is making a strong impression in English county cricket, producing a remarkable spell for Warwickshire in the County Championship Division One.
The 24-year-old has already claimed seven wickets against Hampshire and followed it with three wickets against Glamorgan in Cardiff. His latest performance also produced a rare statistical milestone, as Suthar took all three wickets in just 15 balls without conceding a single run.
The feat made him the first bowler in 131 years of first-class cricket to achieve three wickets without giving away a run. England’s Tom Hayward was the previous player to accomplish the feat, taking three wickets in six balls for Leicestershire against Surrey at The Oval in 1895.
Suthar has played only three Tests for India but has quickly emerged as a promising successor to the country’s established spin masters. His fluid action and high-arm release allow him to float the ball above the batter’s eyeline, forcing batters to wait longer before committing to their shots.
His success is also underpinned by detailed preparation. Before travelling to Sri Lanka, Suthar trained at the BCCI Centre of Excellence under former India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi. Their work included refining his run-up, using Kookaburra balls and recreating Galle’s open-field conditions and sea-driven drift.
Suthar made his Test debut against Afghanistan in July and claimed seven wickets. He then took 16 wickets in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
His county performances now provide another indication of his growing confidence, adaptability and potential as India’s next left-arm spin option.
