How VVS Laxman & Co. kept Manav Suthar on India’s radar

Manav Suthar, a promising left-arm spinner from Rajasthan, has been steadily gaining attention in Indian cricket despite not being selected for the IPL auction ahead of the 2023 season. Suthar had already made a strong impact in domestic cricket, taking 39 wickets in six Ranji Trophy matches during the 2022-23 season and earning a place in the India A squad for the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup. This performance showcased his talent, as he managed to take 10 wickets in five matches.

Suthar's journey to the national team began in 2019 when he made his India Under-19 debut in a Youth Test against South Africa Under-19. He impressed with four wickets in the match, including 3/44 in the second innings, as India secured a nine-wicket victory. The attention he received during this period led to VVS Laxman, the head of the National Cricket Academy at the time, keeping a close eye on Suthar's progress.

Laxman, seeing potential in the young spinner, even alerted Chetan Sharma, the then-chief selector, to monitor Suthar's development.

The opportunity came when Chetan Sharma visited Suthar in Jodhpur during a Rajasthan Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh in January 2023. Suthar's performance during this match was remarkable, where he scored a half-century in the first innings and claimed 10 wickets in the match. This all-around performance caught the selectors' attention and set the stage for Suthar's eventual selection in the Test match against Sri Lanka.

Suthar's unique skill set, as highlighted by his coach Dheeraj Sharma, has made him a valuable asset for India, especially in comparison to Ravindra Jadeja. With his ability to extract bounce and control from the pitch, Suthar has become one of the most exciting left-arm spin prospects in the country, winning him a prominent spot in the national team.