Daijiworld Media Network – New Chandigarh

New Chandigarh, Jun 8: India's young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar made a dream start to his Test career, claiming six wickets on debut to help India enforce the follow-on against Afghanistan in the one-off Test at New Chandigarh.

The Rajasthan spinner returned impressive figures of 6/33 as Afghanistan were bowled out far behind India's first-innings total, leaving the visitors trailing by 412 runs. His performance placed him among an elite list of Indian bowlers who have taken five-wicket hauls on Test debut.

Suthar now holds the third-best innings figures by an Indian on Test debut. Only Narendra Hirwani, who claimed 8/61 and 8/75 against the West Indies in Chennai in 1988, has recorded better figures on debut.

The left-arm spinner from Sri Ganganagar also made a useful contribution with the bat, scoring 28 runs in India's first innings before producing a match-defining spell with the ball.

Suthar completed his maiden five-wicket haul after dismissing Rahmat Shah, who top-scored with 60 for Afghanistan, and later removed Saleem Safi, who had earlier claimed six wickets for the visitors.

Both dismissals came through sharp turn and accurate bowling that trapped the batters leg-before-wicket, prompting successful appeals from the Indian team.

His spell ensured India remained firmly in control of the contest and highlighted his credentials as a promising option in the country's spin-bowling ranks.

Best bowling figures by an Indian on Test debut (innings):

Narendra Hirwani – 8/61 vs West Indies (1988)
Narendra Hirwani – 8/75 vs West Indies (1988)
Manav Suthar – 6/33 vs Afghanistan (2026)
Abid Ali – 6/55 vs Australia (1967)
Dilip Doshi – 6/103 vs Australia (1979)
Vaman Kumar – 5/64 vs Pakistan (1961)
Amit Mishra – 5/71 vs Australia (2008)
Mohammad Nissar – 5/93 vs England (1932)

With his memorable debut performance, Suthar has given the selectors plenty to consider as India continue to build their Test squad for the future.