India’s latest Test match-winner Manav Suthar has come a long way from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, where his cricket journey began with the support of his father Jagdishkumar, a physical education teacher and former age-group cricketer. Suthar repaid years of hard work with a 10-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in Galle, helping India win the first Test by 165 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.The left-arm spinner took four wickets in the first innings and six in the second to finish with match figures of 10-131. It was only his second Test for India.Manav Suthar's Cricket began at homeSuthar’s first exposure to competitive cricket came through his father. Jagdishkumar, who works as a physical education teacher at a private school, had himself played cricket and bowled off-spin.He represented Rajasthan at the Under-19 level in the Schools’ Nationals. His own experience with the sport helped him recognise his son’s interest in cricket when Suthar was still a child.Jagdishkumar recalled that Suthar was around six or seven when his passion for the game became clear. At the age of 11, he was enrolled in a cricket academy, where his skills began to develop under coach Dheeraj Sharma.For the family, resources were limited, but the commitment to Suthar’s cricket was not.From Sri Ganganagar to Rajasthan cricketSuthar’s route to the national team was built through the age-group and domestic system rather than an instant rise to the spotlight.He progressed through Under-16 and Under-19 cricket before moving into district and state-level cricket. His left-arm orthodox spin became his main strength, with control and patience forming an important part of his bowling.Coach Dheeraj Sharma played a key role in developing those qualities. According to Suthar’s father, the youngster was also good at studies and quick to learn. His willingness to follow instructions and work on his game helped him progress through the ranks.A breakthrough Ranji seasonSuthar made his first-class debut for Rajasthan in 2022. He made an immediate impact in the Ranji Trophy, taking 39 wickets in just six matches during his debut season. That performance put him firmly on the domestic cricket radar.His first-class career has since grown steadily. He has taken 136 wickets in 30 matches, with best bowling figures of 8-33. He has also contributed with the bat, scoring 973 runs, including a century and six half-centuries. The numbers have established him as more than just a specialist spinner in red-ball cricket.Limited IPL chances did not change his focusSuthar’s domestic performances earned him an opportunity in the Indian Premier League, with Gujarat Titans adding him to their squad. However, the franchise route did not immediately provide regular opportunities. He spent considerable time around the squad without getting an extended run in the playing XI.Instead of allowing the lack of IPL game time to derail his progress, Suthar continued to concentrate on domestic cricket. His performances in first-class cricket kept strengthening his case for higher honours.Six wickets on Test debutThe opportunity eventually arrived in Test cricket. Suthar made his India debut against Afghanistan in June and marked the occasion with seven wickets. He claimed 6-33 in the first innings and added 1-29 in the second.It was a strong start to his international career and showed that his domestic success could translate to the highest level.Ten wickets against Sri LankaSuthar went a step further in his second Test. Against Sri Lanka in Galle, he took four wickets in the first innings before returning with six more in the second. His 10-wicket match haul played a major role in India’s 165-run victory.The performance also underlined the qualities that had taken him from a cricket academy in Sri Ganganagar to the Indian Test team, patience, preparation and consistency.For his father Jagdishkumar, watching his son become a match-winner for India was the result of years of effort.“I feel very proud of Manav’s performance,” Jagdishkumar said, adding that his son had worked hard over the years and was now getting the results.A journey built on patienceSuthar’s rise has not followed the quickest route to international cricket. There were years of age-group cricket, domestic matches and limited opportunities in franchise cricket before the India call-up came. But his progress remained consistent.From playing cricket in Sri Ganganagar to taking wickets for Rajasthan, earning an IPL squad place and then making an impact in Test cricket, Suthar’s journey has been shaped by the people who backed him from the beginning.At the centre of it has been his father, a school PT teacher who had once played cricket himself, and his childhood coach Dheeraj Sharma.Now, after taking 10 wickets in just his second Test, Suthar is no longer simply a promising name from Rajasthan. He has announced himself as an India Test match-winner.
