Ajay Jadeja praises Manav Suthar after four-wicket spell in Galle Test
Former India batter Ajay Jadeja heaped praise on Manav Suthar after Suthar picked up 4 for 76 as India bowled Sri Lanka out for 284 on the third day of the first Test in Galle. Jadeja likened the young left-arm spinner to an unpolished jewel and compared Ravindra Jadeja to the "Kohinoor" of India’s spin attack.
Suthar’s strong start to Test cricket has drawn prominent endorsement, with Ajay Jadeja saying: "These are great signs for Indian cricket. We have praised Ravindra Jadeja a lot just now. He also bowls left-arm spin, but he is a totally different bowler. Jadeja is at the top of his career. This is just the start of his career, and we are seeing him outperform from now itself," Ajay Jadeja said on Sony Sports. The former India international noted the benefit Suthar gains from bowling alongside an experienced left-arm spinner.
Suthar’s contribution was most decisive in the opening session, when Sri Lanka slumped to 99 for 5 after he consistently found the right length and extracted turn, dip and bounce from the Galle surface. He struck with his very first delivery, drawing a faint edge from Dinesh Chandimal that was taken comfortably by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Lahiru Udara fell next, playing a loose shot that Yashasvi Jaiswal held at gully, and Suthar bowled consistently at speeds over 85 km/h during his spell.
Sri Lanka’s middle order recovered through a 146-run sixth-wicket partnership between Niroshan Dickwella and Dinusha, with Dickwella making 80 off 115 balls and Dinusha reaching his maiden international century, 100 off 168 deliveries. India finally ended that stand when Dickwella edged Prasidh Krishna to Pant, and Dinusha was trapped leg-before by Ravindra Jadeja on the next ball.
Ravindra Jadeja finished with 3 for 57 as India wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings for 284, securing a 178-run first-innings lead. India had resumed their first innings at 460 for nine, added two runs to reach 462, and Mohammed Siraj made an immediate impact with his second ball of the innings.
"The advantage for him is that he has a senior left-arm spinner with him who has so much experience. If Jadeja is the Kohinoor, which is already polished and put on the crown, he is that jewel that will be polished now. We haven't yet seen its shine," he added.
With Ravindra Jadeja leading the attack alongside him, India look well-stocked with both a proven match-winner and an exciting young talent honing his craft at the highest level. That appraisal followed India bowling Sri Lanka out for 284 on the third day of the first Test in Galle, leaving India with a 178-run first-innings lead.
