India’s new spin star Manav Suthar has made a strong start to his Test career. He has taken 17 wickets in his first two matches. He took seven wickets on debut against Afghanistan and then took 10 wickets in the India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test. India won by 165 runs in Galle. His quick rise has raised questions about his future, especially in the IPL. However, Cheteshwar Pujara feels Suthar must protect the skills that have made him successful in Tests.

Cheteshwar Pujara wants Suthar’s Test strengths preserved

Pujara is not against Suthar playing the IPL. His concern is that the young spinner could change his natural bowling style to succeed in white-ball cricket.

Suthar has found success in Tests through patience, control, flight and consistent bowling. These qualities were clear during his 10-wicket haul in the IND vs SL Galle Test, especially on the tough fifth-day pitch.

Cheteshwar Pujara believes India should support Suthar’s Test growth while allowing him to play T20 cricket without changing his natural game.

He said on Sony Sports Network: “Try to preserve him. We have had this discussion in the past that, yes, all the young players might want to play the shorter format, but India should be looking to preserve him for the Test format”, Pujara said. 

Pujara wants Suthar to play the IPL if he gets a chance, but not at the cost of changing his natural bowling strength.

“Yes, he might want to play the IPL, but don’t go there. I mean, yes, if he gets the opportunity to play the IPL, that’s fine, but don’t change your strength,” he said.

These comments come at an important point in Suthar’s career. He has already taken 17 wickets in two Tests. His strong start has raised questions about managing his growth as T20 cricket brings different challenges. Pujara also spoke about trajectory. In T20s, spinners may bowl flatter and faster to control scoring.

“I think he doesn’t need to change his bowling much. Just when it comes to white-ball cricket, you need to have that flatter trajectory, and I don’t mind him playing in the IPL. If he plays in the IPL, if he’s successful in the IPL, that is fine, but don’t change your strength,” Pujara added.

Cheteshwar Pujara said Suthar can make this change without losing the main skill that has made him successful.

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Why IPL success can demand a different kind of bowling

Pujara’s warning becomes clear when we look at the difference between Test and T20 bowling. T20 cricket strongly favours batters, so spinners have very little room for mistakes.

In Test cricket, a spinner can build pressure over many overs. He can use flight, pace and turn to make the batter take risks. The main goal is not only to stop runs but also to create chances for wickets.

T20 cricket works differently. Six balls can quickly change the game. A spinner often needs to focus on stopping runs while also looking for wickets. Bowling faster, flatter and closer to the stumps can make it harder for batters to attack. Spinners can also use changes of pace, wider lines and defensive fields.

For a young spinner, using these methods regularly can affect his bowling habits. He may start depending less on flight and patience, which are important skills in Test cricket.

This is the main point behind Cheteshwar Pujara’s advice. Playing the IPL may not hurt Suthar’s Test career. But changing his natural bowling style could hurt his success in Test cricket.

Suthar’s own words underline the importance of patience 

Interestingly, Suthar’s own comments after his match-winning performance show that he already has the qualities Pujara wants him to keep.

Suthar took 10 wickets in Galle, including 6/55 in Sri Lanka’s second innings after taking four wickets in the first. Sri Lanka needed 372 runs on a tough fifth-day pitch. Suthar stayed calm and bowled with control, helping India win.

In a video posted by the BCCI on Instagram, Suthar said he wants to keep improving instead of focusing only on quick results. His approach is to improve his game session by session.

“I take Test cricket very seriously. My focus is always on improving day by day whenever I go to practice,” he said. 

Suthar also showed that he does not only prepare for familiar conditions. After the Afghanistan Test, he started practising with the Kookaburra ball because he knew Sri Lanka would be a different challenge.

“After the Afghanistan game, my main goal was to adapt as quickly as possible,” he said. “I practised a lot with the Kookaburra ball in the nets at home to get as tuned into the game as possible.”

As reported by Balaram Menon in Gulf News, Suthar also spoke about the importance of patience. He mentioned his conversations with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav during the Galle Test. The advice from the senior spinners supported the approach that has already helped Suthar succeed.

“We were talking about how patiently we needed to bowl because we knew it could be a little difficult for new batsmen to play on this wicket,” Suthar said.

He further explained how the Indian spin trio stayed focused on one area instead of chasing instant breakthroughs. All in all, Suthar himself looks determined to play test cricket, and looks to keep up the good work. These are still early days for him in Test cricket. 

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The challenge India must manage

There is a clear reason why Suthar could be interested in the IPL. A young Indian cricketer can get a big T20 chance, earn good money, gain experience and play alongside some of the world’s best players.

For young players, this is a major attraction. The IPL can also teach skills that Tests may not. These include handling attacking batters, changing pace quickly, bowling under pressure, understanding match-ups and following plans.

The important thing is to make sure these skills support his Test game instead of replacing its basics.

Suthar’s early record shows that India may have found a strong Test spinner. He has taken 17 wickets in two Tests, including 10 in Galle. Patience and control have been key parts of his bowling.

That makes the advice by Cheteshwar Pujara more important. Suthar can play the IPL, learn from T20 cricket and still protect his natural Test bowling style.

For India, the bigger goal could be a long-term Test match-winner. Suthar has already given them plenty of reason to protect that potential.

What do you think? Will Suthar be able to sustain himself longer in Test cricket? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

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