Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara said that left-arm spinner Manav Suthar was challenged on Day 4 of the Colombo Test because the Sri Lankan batters played him smartly. Pujara stated that the Lankans attacked Suthar early in his spell and did not allow him to settle down as well. Suthar bowled 18 overs in Sri Lanka’s second innings in Colombo on Wednesday, August 26 and registered figures of 2-81 as well.

During a discussion on Cricinfo, Pujara said: “Credit to the Sri Lankan batters. As soon as he [Suthar] came on to bowl, they counter-attacked. They didn’t allow him to settle, didn’t allow him to bowl where he wanted to. They played some fantastic shots. They kept playing those slog-sweeps, especially Pasindu. So Manav will learn. When you are under pressure, you need to find answers.”

While Pujara said that Suthar was not at his best with the ball on Day 4 in Colombo, he applauded the young left-arm spinner for learning his lessons and showing significant improvement in the last session of play.

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“The good part about Manav was how he finished the day. He learnt his lessons. Made some adjustment in bowling. He went a little fuller, he went a little wider. So, those were some good lessons which he learnt in this particular innings. There was a difference between how he bowled between lunch and tea and after tea. And, I am sure, there was a role of the team management,” Cheteshwar Pujara concluded.