Manav Suthar expresses his views on debut in longest format of the game

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In the one-off Test match against Afghanistan, Team India secured a victory by an innings and 300 runs at the Maharaja Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.

Debutant Manav Suthar was named the “Player of the Match” for his crucial contributions with both bat and ball.

Reflecting on his debut, the spinner said that it was a dream for him to represent the country in the longest format of the game.

“Gautam sir and the skipper informed me that I would be making my debut. It was a very proud moment because, ever since I started playing, it had been my dream, my father`s dream, and everyone`s dream for me to play Test cricket for India,” he said on JioStar.

Further, the Rajasthan-born cricketer labelled Test cricket as the “pinnacle of the sport”. He also said that star spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who presented him with the debut cap, motivated him through his speech.

“From the very first day I started playing and as I progressed through the ranks, red-ball cricket meant everything to me. It is the pinnacle of the sport. So, whether I was playing U-19 cricket or the Ranji Trophy, the goal was always to play Test cricket for India. Kuldeep bhai`s speech while presenting me with the cap was very motivating. Everyone encouraged and motivated me a lot, so it felt really special,” said Suthar.

During Team India`s innings, Suthar accumulated 28 runs in 41 balls, with the help of two boundaries and the same number of maximums. Later in Afghanistan`s first innings, the spinner returned with the figures of six wickets for 33 runs in 22 overs. In the visitors` second innings, Suthar claimed one wicket by conceding 29 runs in 10 overs.

After concluding with the one-off Test match, both teams will clash against each other in a three-match ODI series.

IND vs AFG ODIs: Dates and venues

The ODI series between Team India and Afghanistan is all set to kick off from June 13, with the first game scheduled to be played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. The second ODI match between the teams will be played on June 17 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium B Ground in Lucknow, followed by the third game on June 20 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The hosts will miss out on the services of stalwart Virat Kohli, as he has been ruled out due to injury.

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