India’s recent matches against Afghanistan gave the team more than expected wins. The one-off Test in New Chandigarh and the three ODIs that followed also offered a useful look at bowlers who are still new to international cricket.
The batting had familiar names in the frame, including Shubman Gill, K.L. Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. But the more interesting development came with the ball. Manav Suthar made a strong first impression in the Test, while Gurnoor Brar used the ODI series to show why India’s selectors are looking closely at him.
A timely check on bowling depth
India are assessing their bowling options at a time when the group is not as settled as it once was. R. Ashwin is no longer part of the picture, Ravindra Jadeja’s long-term red-ball future is a question, and Jasprit Bumrah’s workload has to be managed carefully. Mohammed Shami is not in favour at present, and Kuldeep Yadav has not been at his best.
Some fast bowlers who came in with attention have also not secured regular places. Mukesh Kumar, Akashdeep Singh and Anshul Kamboj are among those still trying to stay relevant in the national conversation. That is why the performances of Suthar and Brar matter. They do not solve every issue, but they give India options to examine further.
Suthar makes a strong Test start
Suthar, a 23-year-old left-arm spinner, had been followed by India’s decision-makers for some time. In the longer format, they viewed his bowling as a more potent option than Harsh Dubey’s similar style and picked him for the Test in New Chandigarh.
He made an immediate impact. Suthar took a wicket with his fourth ball in Test cricket, picked up six wickets in his first innings as a Test bowler, and finished the match with the Player of the Match award. For a debutant spinner, that was a clear statement.
His next assignment is also useful for his development. Suthar has travelled to England to play for Warwickshire in the County Championship. County cricket may not carry the same finishing-school reputation it once had, but an overseas spinner can still learn plenty there, especially when pitches do not always offer easy help.
India are scheduled to play two Tests in Sri Lanka in August. On the evidence of his debut, Suthar should stay in the selection discussion. If Jadeja is fit and Washington Sundar is considered for batting depth, India will have choices to make, especially if they look beyond Kuldeep for that series.
Brar shows pace and bounce in ODIs
Gurnoor Brar’s selection for the Test squad was debated because Auqib Nabi had a stronger recent domestic record. Nabi, the 29-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir, has taken more than 100 wickets across the last two Ranji Trophy seasons. His 60 wickets were important in Jammu and Kashmir’s title win earlier this year.
Brar, 26, has fewer First Class wickets in a three-year career than Nabi took in the last season alone. What stood out for selectors was different: Brar is 1.94 metres tall and bowls at high pace. The view within the decision-making group was that he could create steep bounce and life even when conditions were not clearly helpful.
He did not play the one-off Test, with India leaning towards spin and also having Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna available. His chance came in the ODIs, and he took it. Brar returned three for 27 on international debut in the shortened match at Dharamshala. He then took three more wickets in Lucknow on a flat surface where India scored more than 400. At Chepauk, he finished with one for 49.
Seven wickets from three home ODIs is a solid start for a fast bowler in his first international series. It also gives him an early claim for future 50-over plans, including the 2027 World Cup, which is scheduled to be played in South Africa among other venues from next October.
Gill’s assessment after the series was measured. He said Brar had ticked most boxes, but also noted that experience would be important. “If I am to be really critical, he did go for a little bit of runs. He was a little bit inconsistent at times, but he is young, he is playing his first series at the top level and he is bowling quick,” Gill said.
Useful signs, with caution
The opposition and conditions must be kept in mind. Afghanistan were not the toughest test India’s young bowlers will face. Still, Suthar and Brar were also new to this level, and both had to show they could handle the pressure of international cricket.
Their early returns do not guarantee long careers. They do, however, give India something practical: a left-arm spinner who has already delivered in a Test, and a tall quick bowler who has taken wickets in his first ODI series. For a team watching its bowling depth closely, that is a worthwhile outcome.
Source: The Hindu Cricket.