Former Indian cricketer Murali Kartik was shocked at the selectors’ decision to leave out left-arm spinner Manav Suthar from the Test squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour as well. The youngster, after a stunning start to his international career, was not considered for the two-match away series part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) as well. However, Manav Suthar has claimed 23 wickets in his first three Tests and made an impact in India’s last red-ball Test in Sri Lanka.

“It’s a tough one for me, to be very honest, because when I saw the squads, I was shocked myself. Manav Suthar has been the find of the season, especially post-Ashwin, we have been searching for a Test match bowler. And the most important thing is the rationale which is used behind not picking Kuldeep sometimes is that he is not as good a bat as others,” Murali Kartik said in a select media interaction organised by Sony Sports Network.

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“But Manav Suthar fits that bill too. And more importantly, take the batting away. I don’t even look at somebody as a batter. Yes, you do want to contribute handy runs, especially in the modern version of the game, because you don’t want any guys who cannot bat. But the most important thing is Manav Suthar has been the best bowler on view in the Test matches that we’ve had of late,” he continued.

Murali Kartik further added that India’s lack of faith in Kuldeep Yadav was all the more reason to add Manav Suthar in the squad as another wicket-taking option as well.

“I was massively surprised that he has not been picked. So, I don’t know the logic. It’s not as if they cannot take one extra player. And also, most importantly, he’s your wicket-taking bowler. Kuldeep Yadav is a wicket-taking bowler, but again, Kuldeep Yadav is a very different story,” Murali Kartik concluded.