Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar are both in India's squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, but one former India spinner thinks the younger man represents a look at the future of the country's spin attack.
Murali Kartik, speaking in an interaction organized by Sony Sports Network, said Suthar has the qualities needed to eventually step into Jadeja's role in the Test side. Jadeja is 37, and Kartik did not shy away from saying so plainly. "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 much longer he will play. From that point of view, you are always looking at passing the baton," Kartik said.
The two left-arm spinners are both expected to feature in the playing XI for the opening Test in Galle later this week. That match will give Suthar another chance to build on what has already been a strong start at the highest level.
Suthar made his Test debut earlier this year and finished with seven wickets, including a six-wicket haul against Afghanistan in Mullanpur. He also contributed with the bat, scoring 45 runs in India's recent three-day warm-up game against SLC XI, including a first-innings score of 41. His ability to contribute in both departments drew comparisons to Jadeja, though Kartik was careful to assess Suthar on his own terms.
"I think he is a very, very good bowler. Let's not compare him with anybody. He is old-school; he has 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," Kartik told reporters. "After a very long time, we are seeing a bowler like that. Maybe for India, it has come at a good time," he added.
According to Yahoo Sports, Jadeja has been largely absent from India's ODI plans since the Champions Trophy 2025. In that format, he has played only six matches and taken just one wicket in that stretch.
The opening Test in Galle is set for later this week.
