Manav Suthar has wreaked havoc in the test match being played between India and Afghanistan in Mullanpur. Suthar, who is starting his Test career through this match, has put India in the driving seat by taking 3 wickets. Thanks to Suthar’s lethal bowling, India reduced half of Afghanistan’s team to 113 runs after scoring 564 runs in its first innings. By the end of the second day’s play (June 7), Team India is ahead by 451 runs and seems to be moving towards a huge victory.
Suthar, a young left arm spinner from Rajasthan, told the broadcaster during the second day’s play that people discouraged him a lot from taking up cricket as a career but he did not give up. This 23-year-old player has made a place in the Indian team on the basis of his consistently good performance in domestic cricket and for India-A.
Suthar said on Geostar, ‘Cricket has always been an important part of my family. My father loves cricket and everyone in the house watches the matches regularly. In my childhood, I also used to sit with him and watch the matches. It was from here that my interest in cricket increased. I started playing in the streets with my friends. I learned the basics of this game in street cricket. Like holding the bat and bowling.
He said, ‘When I was 10 or 11 years old, I joined a good cricket academy. Started training under the guidance of coaches Dheeraj sir and Vinod sir. He taught me the right technique and helped me improve my game. Suthar further said, ‘I got my first big success when I played for Rajasthan in the Under-14 category. That inspired me a lot and I felt that I can make cricket my career.
The journey for Suthar to make it to the Indian team was not easy but seeing the tough competition for a place in the team, he did not lose courage and kept working hard. He said, ‘It is never easy to be successful in cricket in a country with a large population like India. Many talented players compete for just a few spots. I also had to face many challenges. Many people told me to concentrate on my studies. He said that there is no possibility in cricket and I am wasting my time.
Suthar said, ‘But I did not give up. I continued to work hard. I was hoping to be selected in the Indian team. It was a waiting game and I remained patient.
Suthar has performed consistently well since the 2022-23 Ranji season. He has taken 129 wickets in 29 first class matches so far. He also performed well in batting and has established himself as an all-rounder. So far, he has one century and six half-centuries in his name in first class cricket.
Suthar said, ‘It feels good to make a place in the Indian team. All the hard work done for domestic cricket and India A has paid off. Making my debut in international cricket is like a dream come true for me. All the sacrifices finally paid off. I am ready to perform my best for the country.
