Minutes before the first rain interruption of the final day, Manav Suthar drew Keshara Nuwantha’s inside edge and looked heavenward as the ball crashed into the stumps. His sixth wicket of the innings, at a cost of just only 55 runs, took his match tally to 10 for 131.
A fighting 84 from Sonal Dinusha ensured that Sri Lanka took the game deeper than most expected, but India had confirmation of something they long craved: the next spinner in line to have a long and successful career.
Suthar is only 24, and it’s often said that spinners mature late. Yet, he has shown he has a wise head on his shoulders. At a time when spinners of all hues are developing mystery deliveries, Suthar has cracked the code in the longest form of the game without breaking the traditional boundaries.
A classical left-arm finger spinner, Suthar uses all the weapons traditionally available. He delivers from a high arm action, allowing the ball to extract whatever bounce there is in the surface. He does not merely float the ball through the air; he puts enough revs on it to ensure there is flight and, equally importantly, drift.
On rank turners in India, you don’t need to do much to be successful, as is evidenced by the fact that even overseas spinners with otherwise modest numbers run through the opposition. But when the surface is true, and the ball is soft, you need skill, stamina and patience.
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In Galle, there was something on offer, especially on the third day, when the ball turned with fizz. But there were runs to be had if batsmen applied themselves, even on the fifth day. And that was where Suthar made the difference.
Crucially, being consistent while using angles and variations of pace smartly will hold Suthar in good stead even in conditions where spinners can’t just rock up and expect a bag of wickets. While much sterner tests await — especially in Australia and England — India can rest easy in the knowledge that they have someone in their ranks who can out-think batsmen and not rely solely on how much the ball turns.
KL Rahul has played Suthar plenty in the nets, first with India A and now in the Test team. And he was in prime position to analyse what made the bowler so irresistible. “It’s the subtle variations from the same action. From the same angle without changing his arm speed, he’s able to bowl slower, and he’s able to bowl quicker as well,” said Rahul. “Here in Galle, when the wind was blowing from one side he used drift really well, and from there when the ball straightens or comes in, it’s very difficult for the batsmen.”
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Rahul pointed to Suthar’s understanding of what was required of him. “He’s very consistent from the same place, just using subtle variations he’s able to do that through the day,” said Rahul. “So, batsmen will also think that if he’s not changing then I’ll have to do something, so when you get a batsman in that sort of mindset, you win the contest. I think his greatest strengths are his pace and his consistency in always challenging all modes of dismissal. Because of the line that he bowls, a batsman can be LBW, and if there’s a little turn, he can be bowled or caught behind.”
Gary Kirsten, currently Sri Lanka’s coach, who has worked with Suthar at the Gujarat Titans, did not disagree. “I think he’s a great spinner for Test match cricket. He gets on top of his action a little bit, and he gets the ball to bounce,” said Kirsten.
At 24, having played just two Tests, this is just the beginning for Suthar. Ravindra Jadeja is still performing at a high level with both ball and bat, so there’s no reason whatsoever to move him on. But spinners work best in pairs, and while both Jadeja and Suthar are conventional left-arm spinners, they ask different questions of batsmen.
Suthar has the opportunity to learn from a master and sharpen his skill sets. And Jadeja can play with greater freedom in the knowledge that India’s spin bowling is in safe hands.
BRIEF SCORES: India 462 (Padikkal 167, Rahul 82; Jayasuriya 4/109) and 193 (Pant 66; Asitha 4/31, Jayasuriya 3/43) beat Sri Lanka 284 (Dinusha 100, Dickwella 80; Suthar 4/76, Jadeja 3/57) and 206 (Dinusha 84, Dhananjaya 59; Suthar 6/55) by 165 runs.
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