Afghanistan’s second innings against India ended with nine wickets down on the third day of the one-off Test in Mullanpur, since Sharafuddin Ashraf wasn’t able to bat in the second innings due to a quadriceps
strain he sustained during India’s only innings.
Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar’s rise as a potential leader of India’s future spin attack was the biggest takeaway from their dominant innings-and-300-run victory over Afghanistan.
After being bowled out for a paltry 152 in the first innings, courtesy of 6/33 from Suthar, Afghanistan fared much worse in the second essay, getting bundled out for 112 in less than 36 overs midway into the third day to hand India their biggest innings victory.
There was a brief moment of confusion after Afghanistan lost their ninth wicket, with India having sealed the win. It was later clarified that Ashraf was unable to bat because of a leg injury suffered earlier in the game, bringing the innings to an end.
Ashraf had struggled with the injury during Afghanistan’s first innings and was seen limping on the field.
Meanwhile, Washington Sundar (4/36) did the star turn in the second innings while Kuldeep Yadav (3/30) also helped himself to some easy pickings.
In 2018, India had thrashed the Afghans by an innings and 260 runs, but the visitors would take solace that they could stretch this Test into the third day.
The game belonged to Suthar, the left-arm spinner from Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar. With match figures of 7/62 (6/33 and 1/29), he became the 10th Indian bowler to claim a five-for on Test debut.
More importantly, Suthar’s performance offered a glimpse into the future, answering a question that has long lingered in Indian cricket circles: who will carry forward the legacy of Ravindra Jadeja?
After the Afghanistan match, Suthar displayed all the key attributes needed at the highest level, chief among them his ability to hit the same spot.
