Young Rajasthan all-rounder Manav Suthar achieved a major milestone in his cricketing journey after receiving his maiden India Test cap ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur. The 23-year-old left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder was handed the cap by Kuldeep Yadav as India began a new chapter under captain Shubman Gill.
Winning the toss, Gill opted to bat first on a surface expected to become increasingly difficult for batters as the match progresses. The India skipper pointed to the hot, humid conditions, predicting that the pitch would gradually slow and offer more assistance to the spinners.
“We are gonna bat first. Very hot and humid. It’s going to get slower and lower,” Shubman Gill said at the toss. “It’s a great privilege to captain here. The preparation has been good. We’ve got Manav Suthar making his debut.”
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Suthar’s selection comes on the back of consistent performances in domestic cricket. Since making his first-class debut for Rajasthan in February 2022, the left-arm spinner has established himself as one of the most promising red-ball bowlers in the country. In just 29 first-class matches, he has claimed 129 wickets while maintaining an impressive economy rate of 2.94.
The smile says it all ☺️🧢
Congratulations to debutant Manav Suthar as he receives his #TeamIndia Test cap from Kuldeep Yadav 🙌
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— BCCI (@BCCI) June 6, 2026
His ability to contribute valuable runs lower down the order has further strengthened his credentials as a genuine all-round option. The youngster has been on the selectors’ radar for some time. He was part of India’s preparatory camp ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup and continued to impress with his performances in domestic cricket.
Although he represented the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, opportunities were limited, with Suthar featuring in only four matches and picking up two wickets. India’s decision to include a specialist spin-bowling all-rounder also reflects the expected nature of the Mullanpur surface, which is hosting its first-ever Test match and becomes the 31st venue in India to stage a Test.
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Meanwhile, Afghanistan entered the contest without their biggest match-winner, Rashid Khan. The star leg-spinner remains unavailable as he continues to manage a back issue, with medical advice steering him away from red-ball cricket for the time being.
