New Delhi: Watching the 23-year-old Manav Sothar work his magic in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Milanpur must have brought back memories. Ravichandran Ashwin. Much like Ashwin did on his Test debut in 2011, the Rajasthan left-arm spinner made history on the biggest stage with a sensational six-wicket haul in his first Test innings.Handing over his Test cap against Afghanistan, Sattar announced his arrival in style, returning figures of 6/33 as Afghanistan were bowled out for 152 in reply to India’s imposing 564/8 declaration. This performance has given Satar a place in the record books. His 6/33 is the best by an Indian on Test debut in 38 years. The last Indian to do better in a debut Test innings was Narendra Hirwani, who claimed 8/61 against the West Indies in Chennai in 1988 in a spectacular 16-wicket win.Soother also joined an exclusive club of Indian bowlers to take six wickets in an innings on Test debut. Only Narendra Hirwani, Ravichandran Ashwin, Dilip Doshi and Syed Abid Ali had achieved this feat before him.The 23-year-old became only the 10th Indian overall – and the seventh spinner – to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut.Ashwin, who himself took nine wickets in his Test debut against the West Indies in Delhi in 2011, including figures of 6/47 in the second innings, was among the first to congratulate the youngster.Ashwin wrote on social media, “Manav Sathar. Best wishes for a great career ahead.”Suther’s achievement is significant for more than one reason. He became only the second Indian to claim a five-wicket century in his first Test innings after Amit Mishra, who took 5/71 against Australia in 2008.Behind Rahkeem Cornwall’s 7/75 in Lucknow in 2019, his figures are the second best by any bowler against Afghanistan in Test cricket.
- Best bowling figures for India in the first Test innings:
- 8/61 – Narendra Hirwani v West Indies, Chennai, 1988
- 6/33 – Manav Sothar v Afghanistan, Milanpur, 2026*
- 6/55 – Syed Abid Ali v Australia, Adelaide, 1967
- 6/103 – Dilip Doshi v Australia, Chennai, 1979
With his dream debut, Sathar has not only made a name for himself alongside some of India’s best spin bowlers but has also given a glimpse of what could be a bright future in Indian cricket.
