It has become a running joke that sometimes players who do well and even earn Player of the Match awards are dropped in the Gautam Gambhir head coach era. Well, the latest victim of this trend is Manav Suthar, the 24-year-old left-arm spinner and bowling all-rounder from Rajasthan.
With Axar Patel dropped from the Test setup, Suthar made his Test debut in June against Afghanistan in Mullanpur and bagged the Man of the Match award for his 6/33 in Afghanistan’s first innings.
Then, he featured in both Tests in Sri Lanka in August, where he claimed 16 wickets in two Tests, including a six-wicket haul in Galle. Suthar’s 23 wickets in 3 Tests have come at a terrific average of 17.34.
However, Suthar has most recently been excluded from the India Test squad to tour New Zealand for the two-match Test series next month. The India squad for New Zealand Tests includes three spinners – Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav, two of whom are all-rounders.
Suthar’s exclusion has raised some questions over the selectors’ policy, including from Cheteshwar Pujara.
Meanwhile, former India opener Abhinav Mukund tried to decode what could have been the reasons behind Suthar’s exclusion from the New Zealand Tests and whether the BCCI selectors would have explained to Suthar the reasoning behind it.
Why Is Manav Suthar Not Picked For India vs New Zealand Test Series?
Speaking with Cricinfo, Abhinav Mukund opined that given the India vs New Zealand Test series is only a two-match series, Suthar most likely wouldn’t have played anyway.
Instead, Mukund reckons, the selectors and the team management headed by Gautam Gambhir would have asked Suthar to focus on the ongoing Ranji Trophy and attain his best rhythm for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), scheduled for January-February, where he is likely to feature alongside two or three of Jadeja, Sundar, and Kuldeep in the bowling attack.
Mukund said on a show on Cricinfo, “I think it’s a 50-50 call. India are still looking for an outside chance to make the WTC final. Manav Suthar, the decision would have been two Tests only. There is a full Ranji Trophy season going on at home. Play domestic cricket and get ready for the five Tests (vs Australia) at home. We will try and win the series in New Zealand and see if our chances get better.
“You be fully prepared to play at home because the BGT is a very big series. Five tests. We may need you then. So that’s the communication. Take loads of wickets here. The experience will come to you at some point because you are our number one priority. But stay back and prepare for Australia.”
Manav Suthar has played enough Ranji Trophy: Pujara
Pujara, on the other hand, said it was “surprising” to not see Suthar in the Test squad, adding that Suthar would have gained valuable experience in New Zealand while touring and bowling in nets with the team even if he doesn’t get to be part of the playing XI.
“For Manav Suthar, having that experience of playing Ranji Trophy, I think it’s not important. He has played enough Ranji Trophy; that’s why he’s been part of India’s Test squad. And he has performed well with the team,” Pujara told broadcaster Star Sports.
“So I think this was the best opportunity for him to travel to New Zealand, learn bowling in those conditions. And because whenever India goes to, say, New Zealand, whether it’s England, New Zealand, Australia, playing outside India, that is the experience which you want for a young player.”
IND vs NZ: When is India vs New Zealand Test series?
The two-match India vs New Zealand Test series will begin on November 19 in Wellington, with the second Test scheduled to kick off on November 27 in Christchurch.
BGT: When is India vs Australia Test series?
The Indai vs Australia five-match Test series, BGT 2027, will start on January 21 in Nagpur. The next four Tests will be played in Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi, and Ahmedabad.
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