Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill (PTI Photo)
India’s Spin Conundrum: Suthar Poised to Edge Jain, Maharoof Warns of Pant Threat
Colombo, Sri Lanka – As India prepares for the opening Test against Sri Lanka, a fascinating selection dilemma looms regarding their spin attack. Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Farveez Maharoof believes India could surprise many by fielding three specialist spinners, with young left-arm orthodox Manav Suthar potentially receiving the nod ahead of uncapped off-spinner Saransh Jain.
The absence of the retired Ravichandran Ashwin and the injured Washington Sundar has left a void, with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav firmly
established as the frontrunners. The crucial question, however, is who will complete the triumvirate in the
starting XI.
Maharoof, a respected voice in Sri Lankan cricket, suggests that Suthar’s unique ability to extract bounce from
the surface might be the deciding factor. While Sri Lankan pitches are renowned for assisting spinners, bounce
can often be as, if not more, impactful than sheer turn, making Suthar’s attribute particularly valuable.
Suthar has enjoyed a promising start to his international career, notably claiming seven wickets on his debut
against Afghanistan. Saransh Jain, on the other hand, is yet to make his senior India debut but has presented a
strong case for inclusion. His recent tour of Sri Lanka with India A saw him pick up seven wickets and
contribute an unbeaten 70 runs batting at number seven, showcasing his all-round capabilities.
Despite the strategic advantage of having an off-spinner for variation, Maharoof believes Suthar’s bounce
generation could outweigh this consideration, even if it means India fields three left-arm spinners.
“If you ask me, I would be tempted to go with the two left-arm spinners as well as Kuldeep Yadav,” Maharoof
stated. “Kuldeep is a frontrunner to start in Galle, especially considering his record and the number of wickets
he took in the last Test against Afghanistan.”
“I see three spinners for India. Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and either Suthar or Jain. Ideally, you would like an
off-spinner for variation, but I would not be surprised if Manav Suthar plays because his ability to get bounce
off the surface could be very handy in Galle.”
Maharoof anticipates India will adopt a balanced approach to their bowling attack, comprising two seamers and
three spinners. “Overall, looking at India’s bowling line-up, it is quite competitive, with two seamers and
three spinners,” he added.
Maharoof Warns Sri Lanka About Rishabh Pant Threat
Beyond the spin debate, Maharoof also highlighted wicketkeeper-batsman
Sri Lankan side. This warning comes despite Pant’s relatively modest scores of two and 28 in India’s recent
three-day warm-up game in Colombo, which India won by six wickets.
Maharoof emphatically dismissed the notion that Pant’s warm-up form should instill confidence in the Sri Lankan
camp. He underscored Pant’s remarkable ability to single-handedly alter the course of a match in a short span
of time.
“If I were in the Sri Lankan dressing room, I would be very worried about Rishabh Pant. He is a player who,
within half an hour or 45 minutes, can completely change the game,” Maharoof cautioned. “We have seen him do it
in the past. He has that X-factor and has been given the licence to play his natural game. He is going to face a
lot of left-arm spin and off-spin.”
Predicting Sri Lanka’s strategy, Maharoof expects the hosts to deploy two frontline spinners bolstered by two
part-time options, specifically targeting Pant. However, he believes Pant’s unconventional and aggressive style
of play will make him exceedingly difficult to contain, regardless of the bowling strategy employed.
“Sri Lanka will surely go with two frontline spinners as well as two part-timers, but the way Pant scores runs,
with his unorthodox style, he is going to be dangerous.”
As the Test series approaches, India’s spin combination and the explosive potential of Rishabh Pant are set to be
key narratives, shaping what promises to be a compelling contest against Sri Lanka.
