Aakash Chopra calls Manav Suthar 'upgraded version' of Ravindra Jadeja after 4/76 in Galle

On August 18, 2026, former India batter Aakash Chopra described Manav Suthar as an "upgraded version" of Ravindra Jadeja after the 24-year-old produced figures of 4/76 in India's first innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Chopra made the remarks on his YouTube channel while discussing Suthar's rapid rise in Test cricket.

Chopra outlined the attributes that, in his view, make Suthar a candidate for Jadeja's eventual succession and backed that assessment with Suthar's recent performances. "I will say yes because he is a mighty guy. When he releases the ball, it drifts, bounces, and turns. He dismisses you while defending. When you can make the opposing batter lick dust while defending, and that too repeatedly, that tells you this guy has the might," Chopra said. He added: "Along with that, he also bats, which means you can keep him in mind even in overseas conditions. I am seeing him as a successor to Ravindra Jadeja because Jaddu will go at some stage, and you will need somebody like him. If I look at him purely as a bowler, I think he is Jadeja's upgraded version."

Suthar struck with the very first delivery of the innings to remove Dinesh Chandimal and later dismissed Lahiru Udara, employing flight, dip, turn and bounce to trouble Sri Lanka's batters. He finished with four wickets as India bowled Sri Lanka out for 284, giving India a 178-run lead in the first innings.

His spell followed an early strike by Mohammed Siraj, who removed Nishan Fernando with only his second delivery, while Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja also contributed with wickets during the innings. Those combined efforts helped set the platform for India's lead.

Chopra also highlighted Suthar's background and pathway into the national side, noting the spinner comes from Sri Ganganagar and progressed through long-form domestic cricket, the Duleep Trophy and India A before reaching India. On debut against Afghanistan, Suthar took seven wickets across the two innings and scored 28 runs, an outing that earned him the Player of the Match award.

Suthar has played only two Test matches to date, a fact Chopra acknowledged when assessing how much more the 24-year-old must establish himself at international level. After a Player of the Match-winning debut and another four-wicket haul in Galle, those performances have added to Suthar's credentials and fuelled comparisons with Jadeja.