'Ravindra Jadeja will punch me, but he is on the wrong side of thirty': Ex-India cricketer's blunt take

Former India spinner Murali Kartik has expressed his belief that Manav Suthar possesses the qualities necessary to eventually take over from veteran left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja in India's Test side. Both players are part of India's squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, with Jadeja and Suthar both expected to feature in the opening Test in Galle this week.

With Jadeja now 37 years old, Kartik feels that India must start planning for the next phase of their spin-bowling attack. He singled out Suthar as a potential long-term option, owing to the younger spinner's ability to contribute both with the bat and the ball. Suthar made his Test debut this year and immediately made a significant impact, claiming seven wickets, including a six-wicket haul against Afghanistan in Mullanpur.

His performance in India's recent three-day warm-up game against SLC XI, where he took two wickets and scored 45 runs, further demonstrated his all-round capabilities. Kartik, however, urged against drawing comparisons between the two players, stating that Suthar is an "old-school" bowler with a host of excellent attributes. "For me, it has come at a good time," he added.

The emergence of a player like Suthar, who shares Jadeja's talent and consistency, comes at a crucial juncture in Jadeja's career. Kartik acknowledged that with the veteran spinner approaching the twilight of his career, India must start considering the passing of the baton. Despite Jadeja's retirement from Test cricket and his limited appearances in ODIs since the Champions Trophy 2025, Suthar's emergence as a promising option in the Test format could prove invaluable as India looks to regroup and strengthen their spin attack.