Dream debut guides India to record Test win over Afghanistan

On his very first international outing for India, Manav Suthar carved a piece of history as India notched their biggest-ever win (by margin of runs in Test history.

The left-arm spinner claimed 6/33 in Afghanistan’s first innings to become only the fifth Indian to pick up a fifer on debut. In the process, Suthar became the first Indian since his idol Ravichandran Ashwin (2011) to achieve the feat.

Only Narendra Hirwani, who claimed eight wickets in both innings against the West Indies in 1988 and claimed with an overall haul of 16/136, has better bowling figures on a Test debut for India.

After winning the toss, India declared after piling on 564/8 in the first innings. With Suthar taking charge, they dismissed Afghanistan for 152 on Monday before enforcing a follow-on.

The 23-year-old has been in the reckoning for an India spot for the last couple of years. A crafty bowler, he can get the ball to turn and drift to trouble even more established names.

He provided India with a breakthrough, striking on the fourth ball he bowled on his debut. Abdul Malik attempted to hit Suthar across the line, but it caught the top edge and flew to Mohammad Siraj. Having ended Day 2 with three wickets, Suthar added three more to his name on Tuesday.

His fifth wicket was a left-arm spinner’s dream as he cleaned up the established batter Rahmat Shah for 60. After pitching on leg, the ball spun, beating Rahmat and crashing into the stumps.

India went on to wrap up the Test on Day 3 in Mullanpur, dismissing Afghanistan for 112 in the second innings, completing a record win.
The two teams will next square off in a three-match ODI series starting June 13.