India debutant Manav Suthar made an immediate impact in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur, finishing Day 2 with figures of 3/21 as the visitors slipped to 113/5 at stumps. While the 23-year-old all-rounder impressed with both bat and ball in his first Test appearance, his family was not present in the stadium to witness the performance.
Suthar’s father, Jagdish, revealed that family members who had travelled from Rajasthan to watch his Test debut returned home before the second day’s play because they were too nervous to watch him in action. The family had attended the opening day and witnessed the presentation of his maiden Test cap.
Family Returns Home After Emotional Debut
Jagdish, a retired Physical Education teacher from Sri Ganganagar, had travelled to Mullanpur along with his wife and daughter Mansi for the occasion. Speaking to PTI, he explained the decision to leave before the second day's play despite the significance of the moment. Jagdish said,
“Yes, my wife and my daughter Mansi had come to watch his debut. I cannot describe how it felt seeing him get the Test Cap yesterday. However, today we had come back home as we were all nervous and a bit superstitious watching him live in action from the stadium."
He also credited years of dedication for his son's rise to the national team. Jagdish added,
“It’s completely Manav’s hard work and the hours that he has put into practice. He would leave home for training in the morning and return late in the evening. It is his credit and his childhood coach Dheeraj Sharma to whom we are all indebted."
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Suthar Delivers With Bat And Ball
Earlier in the day, India declared their first innings at 564/8 after Washington Sundar completed a half-century and added 54 runs with Suthar. The debutant contributed 28 runs from 41 deliveries before India ended their innings. Afghanistan struggled in reply as Suthar quickly found success with the ball.
Introduced before the tea interval, the left-arm spinner dismissed opener Abdul Malik, who attempted a sweep after being tied down by his first few deliveries.
Suthar continued to trouble the batting line-up with his disciplined approach and classical action, ending the day with three wickets as India tightened control of the match.
