Indian captain Shubman Gill has outlined India's reasoning for turning to Manav Suthar as the team addresses its all-rounder requirements in the Test format. The 23-year-old bowling all-rounder made his Test debut against Afghanistan in a one-off Test in June 2026, taking 6 for 33 in the first innings and finishing with match figures of 7 for 62. Suthar's emergence comes as India manages injuries to key all-rounders in its squad.
Ravindra Jadeja was rested for the Afghanistan Test, creating space for Suthar to make his mark at international level. The captain's comments reflected India's strategic approach to balancing the bowling and batting demands of the middle order. Gill spoke about Suthar's selection during the build-up to the fixture.
"I think that's where someone like Manav comes in," Gill was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
"He's got the ability with the bat. Of course, you need a bit of experience, you need some belief and confidence. And that will only come once you're out there, you're playing, you score some runs," he continued.
The right-hander also backed Suthar to bat at number eight and deliver for the team.
"And hopefully he does that in the series. He's someone with a great skill with bowling. And he's got the potential to be a really good number eight batsman as well," he concluded.
Why Suthar fits India's all-rounder needs
Suthar's profile fits a specific role within India's Test structure. The team has Nitish Kumar Reddy available as a batting all-rounder and Washington Sundar as a bowling all-rounder, but injuries to both players forced India to look in a different direction. Suthar's dual capability with bat and ball made him an attractive option for the vacancy created by these circumstances.
The young all-rounder's Test debut demonstrated his bowling credentials immediately. His performance against Afghanistan showed the skill that had attracted India's selectors and coaching staff. Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir's approach involves integrating all-rounders into the Test line-up, and Suthar's emergence represented their confidence in developing players who can contribute across both disciplines.