The one-off Test between India and Afghanistan saw India create history with their innings-and-300-run victory. With this innings victory, India not only created history, but also surpassed their previous record of an innings and 272 runs in an innings victory against West Indies in 2018. However, fans went berserk over India's performance and especially Captain Shubman Gill's performance, India's debut player Manav Suthar, and the Indian spin attack. While fans congratulated the team for the complete domination, many considered the young Manav Suthar as India's future spin bowler.
India scored 564/8 declared and did not allow Afghanistan even once in the game to bounce back from their predicament. Shubman Gill top-scored for India with a score of
126 runs. KL Rahul made a century in the innings. Sai Sudharsan hit 81 runs and Rishabh Pant also scored 81. After India's declaration, they bowled out Afghanistan twice with scores of 152 and 112 respectively. Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav sealed the win for India.
The biggest lesson is that consistency is everything: Manav Suthar's reflects on dreamy Test and adaptations
The biggest talking point from the match was the arrival of Manav Suthar on the Test stage. The 23-year-old left-arm spinner produced match figures of 7/62, including a superb 6/33 in the first innings. He also scored 28 runs and helped India build momentum with a useful lower-order partnership. Suthar said receiving the India cap felt "quite unreal" and described it as a dream fulfilled. He revealed that batting before bowling helped him understand the surface early.
According to him, the wicket offered support for spinners, prompting him to rely first on his stock ball before adjusting his pace, as he said, "The biggest lesson is that consistency is everything. You have to keep bowling in the same area over and over again."
Summing up his debut experience, Suthar said, "Test cricket is a format that demands a lot of patience. Keep being patient, stick to your plans and keep hitting the right areas consistently." India's management showed immediate faith in Suthar by handing him important responsibilities during the match, including the second new ball. The spinner viewed that trust as a major honour and responded with disciplined bowling throughout the Test.
He admitted that one review request came in the heat of the moment but treated it as part of the learning process. More importantly, Suthar stressed that patience remains the foundation of success in the longest format. His performance reflected that belief as he repeatedly challenged Afghanistan's batters with accurate lines and lengths.
