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A Masterclass in Spin
The third day of the Test match in New Chandigarh witnessed a spectacular performance by young spinner Manav Suthar. While many bowlers struggled to find grip on a pitch that had begun to flatten under the relentless heat, Suthar proved that accuracy and guile can overcome even the most docile of surfaces. His exceptional spell ensured that Suthar six-for rolls Afghanistan over for 152, effectively putting India in the driver’s seat.
Suthar, who had already shown promise with a three-wicket haul on the previous afternoon, returned to the crease with renewed vigor. Finishing with career-best figures of 6 for 33, he was the undisputed architect of the Afghan collapse. His ability to maintain a consistent speed around 90 kph while generating significant turn caught the visiting batters off guard throughout the morning session.
The Battle of Resistance
For the better part of the morning, Rahmat Shah stood as the solitary pillar of resistance for the Afghan lineup. Playing with grit and determination, he managed to anchor the innings, eventually bringing up a well-deserved half-century off 100 balls. His presence at the crease provided a flicker of hope that Afghanistan might survive the initial onslaught to reach the follow-on threshold.
However, the pressure applied by the Indian bowling unit was relentless. Prasidh Krishna, operating from the other end, provided the perfect foil for Suthar. Utilizing his height and back-of-a-length deliveries, Krishna created constant jeopardy. He claimed the crucial wicket of Azmatullah Omarzai, who was lured into a loose shot, resulting in an inside edge that sent him back to the pavilion.
Suthar’s Final Flourish
As the session progressed, the pitch offered little assistance to other spinners like Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav, who appeared somewhat innocuous compared to the lethal rhythm of Suthar. Recognizing the opportunity, Suthar tightened his grip on the game by dismissing Sharafuddin Ashraf, who appeared to be hampered by a visible groin injury. The constant pressure eventually forced a mistake, with Ashraf edging behind.
The tail did not last long once Suthar found his rhythm. The dismissal of Mohammad Saleem was perhaps the most controversial moment of the morning. Suthar’s delivery pitched outside the leg stump, yet the batter failed to review the decision, leading to a frustrated exit from the field. Shortly thereafter, Sundar cleaned up the final wicket when Ziaur attempted an ambitious swipe, resulting in an easy catch for Pant.
Looking Ahead
With Afghanistan bundled out for 152, India immediately enforced the follow-on, holding a mammoth 412-run lead. The visiting side now faces an uphill battle to save the Test match, needing a monumental effort from their top order to survive the remaining days.
For India, this performance serves as a testament to the depth of their bowling resources. While the senior bowlers were kept quiet by the conditions, Suthar’s ability to adapt and persist highlights his potential as a future star in the longest format of the game. As the teams prepare for the second innings, the focus will shift to whether Afghanistan can learn from their morning mistakes or if the Indian bowlers will once again prove too difficult to handle.