Former Indian cricketer Murali Kartik believes that Manav Suthar ticks all the boxes to become veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s successor in the near future. Both left-arm spinners are currently part of the squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on Saturday, August 15, at the Galle International Stadium.
Manav Suthar has been one of the spinners who have risen through the ranks and made it to the main squad amid the spin bowling transition from names like Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel. The spinner made a solid impression on his debut in the one-off Test against Afghanistan, picking up seven wickets, including a maiden fifer.
The solid display ensured that he retained his place in the squad for the Sri Lanka tour, where India banks on spinners for results. Ahead of the Tests, he had a short stint with Warwickshire in the County Championship and also featured for India in the three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo.
Murali Kartik remarked that Suthar does not need to be compared to former left-arm spinners like himself and Bishan Singh Bedi, but recalled his joy while watching the newcomer bowl on his debut.
“I think he is a very, very good bowler, let’s not compare him with anybody. He is old school, he has got many things going very well for him. For me, I was jumping with joy when I was doing that game against Afghanistan, because I was calling that game, and for me to see somebody release the ball like that and have that kind of consistency and have that kind of skill. After a very long time, we are seeing a bowler like that. Maybe for India, it has come at a good time,” Murali Kartik told a select group of reporters during a chat organised by Sony Sports Network.
The former spinner jokingly mentioned that Jadeja might punch him for planning his succession already, but admitted that Suthar can be entrusted with the baton.
“Ravindra Jadeja will punch me the next time he meets me, but at the end of the day, he is on the wrong side of thirty. He is in the twilight of his career, and we don’t know how long he is going to play. From that point of view, you are always looking at passing the baton,” Kartik added.
There is uncertainty regarding Ravindra Jadeja’s future, especially when it comes to white-ball cricket. Having already retired from T20Is after the T20 World Cup 2024, the 38-year-old has picked up only one wicket in his last six ODI appearances since the Champions Trophy 2025.
Manav Suthar picked up two wickets and recorded a batting cameo in the SLC XI vs IND 2026 warm-up match
Manav Suthar got the much-needed experience with the Kookaburra ball in Sri Lankan conditions as he prepares for his first-ever tour with the Indian team. He finished with figures of 2-33 in the first innings and scored an unbeaten 41 in the three-day warm-up clash against Sri Lanka XI in Colombo recently.
The left-arm bowler, one of the four spinners in the squad, is in contention to make it to the playing XI for the series opener.
(Watch Sri Lanka vs. India 1st Test Day 1 on August 15, 2026, from 10 AM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD & Sony LIV)
Edited by Gokul Nair