Manav Suthar Scripts History: Full List of Records Created by the India Spinner on Debut

Manav Suthar has started his India career in immaculate fashion as he picked up a five-wicket haul on debut against Afghanistan.

The 23-year-old Rajasthan left-arm spinner Manav Suthar made an unforgettable entry into Test cricket during India's one-off Test against Afghanistan at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.

He claimed a stunning five-wicket haul, finishing with 6/33 on debut, dismantling the Afghan batting and etching his name into the record books.

The left-arm spinner was difficult to deal for the Afghan players, who fell in trap of his magic and succumbed without much of a resistance as Afghanistan were bowled out for just 152 runs. Suthar bowled 22 overs and was the main architect behind this outstanding bowling display of the Indian bowlers.

It has not just been a dream start for Suthar, as he has also etched his name in numerous record books.

1. Dream Start: Wicket in the Very First Over of His Test Career

Suthar announced his arrival in spectacular fashion on Day 2. After India declared at 564/8, captain Shubman Gill introduced the debutant shortly before tea following a brief pace opening spell. Bowling his very first over in Test cricket, Suthar struck on the fourth ball, dismissing opener Abdul Malik with a top-edged sweep that was caught.

His initial spell was a masterclass in control: he bowled with sharp turn, pinpoint length (mostly good-length and back-of-a-length), and excellent discipline, sending down multiple maidens while maintaining an economy under 1.5. He finished Day 2 with 3/21 in 15.5 overs, removing Abdul Malik, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (edged to slip), and Afsar Zazai (final ball of the day).

2. 10th Indian to Take a Five-Wicket Haul on Test Debut

Suthar joined an elite group as only the 10th Indian bowler to register a five-wicket haul (5 or more wickets in an innings) on his Test debut. This rare feat has been accomplished by just around 174 players worldwide across Test history. For India, it underscores the rich talent pool, particularly in spin bowling, with seven of the ten being spinners who thrived on home conditions.

Full List of Indians with Five-Wicket Hauls on Test Debut

• Mohammad Nissar – 5/93 vs England, Lord’s (1932)
• Vaman Kumar – 5/64 vs Pakistan, Delhi (1961)
• Syed Abid Ali – 6/55 vs Australia, Adelaide (1967)
• Dilip Doshi – 6/103 vs Australia, Chennai (1979)
• Narendra Hirwani – 8/61 vs West Indies, Chennai (1988) – Best by an Indian
• Amit Mishra – 5/71 vs Australia, Mohali (2008)
• Ravichandran Ashwin – 6/47 vs West Indies, Delhi (2011)
• Mohammed Shami – 5/47 vs West Indies, Kolkata (2013)
• Axar Patel – 5/60 vs England, Chennai (2021)
• Manav Suthar – 6/33 vs Afghanistan, New Chandigarh (2026)

3. Second-Best Bowling Figures by an Indian on Test Debut

The debutant finished with impressive figures of 6/33, which rank as the second-best bowling performance by an Indian in their maiden Test. He trails only Narendra Hirwani's legendary 8/61 (and 16 wickets in the match) against West Indies in Chennai in 1988. Suthar's economy, sharp turn, and ability to build pressure stood out as he broke key partnerships and claimed crucial wickets, including continuing his strong showing into the later stages of the Afghan innings.