Former India batter Hanuma Vihari has predicted a bright future for young spinner Manav Suthar, saying the 24-year-old has the tools to become one of the finest bowlers in Test cricket.
Suthar took ten wickets in the match in only his second Test, helping India beat Sri Lanka by 165 runs in Galle. He took four wickets in the first innings and followed that with 6/55 in the second.
A remarkable start to a Test career
The Galle performance took his tally to 17 wickets from two Tests, at an average of 11.35. He had already made a strong first impression on debut against Afghanistan in June, finishing with figures of 6/33.
What Vihari sees in his bowling
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Vihari said a spinner who holds the wrist correctly will find turn, and one whose whole body travels towards the batter, behind the ball, will also get drift and turn. He felt Suthar ticks both boxes.
Vihari also pointed to Suthar’s diagonal action and the way he stays close to the crease, which lets him send the ball at the stumps again and again. In his view, that attacking line is Suthar’s biggest strength, because it brings bowled and LBW dismissals into play. Most of Suthar’s major wickets, he noted, have come that way.
Vihari said he believes Suthar will, in time, be counted among the best Test bowlers in the world.
Next up in Colombo
Suthar can now look to extend his run in the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, which begins on August 23. India lead the series 1-0, and another strong display would further cement his place in the Test side.
