Manav Suthar named in India Test squad for Afghanistan series, first Rajasthan pick in 12 years
Synopsis
Manav Suthar's Test call-up ends a 12-year wait for Rajasthan cricket — and his domestic numbers back it up. With 129 first-class wickets in 29 matches, the all-rounder heads into the Afghanistan series at Mullanpur as one of the most statistically compelling debutants in recent domestic-to-Test transitions.
Key Takeaways
Manav Suthar has been named in India's Test squad for the Afghanistan series , announced by the BCCI Senior Selection Committee.
He is the first cricketer from Rajasthan to be selected for India's Test team in 12 years , since Pankaj Singh in 2014-15 .
The first Test is scheduled at Mullanpur from 6 June 2026 .
In 29 first-class matches , Suthar has taken 129 wickets and scored 945 runs .
Rajasthan's previous Test cricketers include Salim Durani , Hanumant Singh , Parthasarathy Sharma , and Pankaj Singh .
Rajasthan all-rounder Manav Suthar has been named in India's Test squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan, becoming the first cricketer from Rajasthan to earn a Test call-up in 12 years. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Senior Selection Committee announced the squad, with the first Test scheduled to begin at Mullanpur on 6 June 2026.
Rajasthan Cricket Fraternity Reacts
Mohit Jaswant Yadav, Convener of the Rajasthan Cricket Association Ad-hoc Committee, welcomed the selection alongside all committee members, offering congratulations to Suthar and extending best wishes for his international career. Yadav stated that the selection has brought 'immense joy to the entire Rajasthan cricket fraternity' and called it a proud moment for the state.
A Rare Honour for Rajasthan Cricket
Suthar's selection is a landmark in Rajasthan's cricketing history. The state has produced only a handful of Test cricketers over the decades. Salim Durani represented India from 1959-60 to 1972-73, playing 29 Tests, scoring 1,202 runs and claiming 75 wickets. Hanumant Singh played 14 Tests between 1963-64 and 1969-70, amassing 686 runs. Parthasarathy Sharma featured in 5 Tests from 1974-75 to 1976-77, contributing 187 runs. Most recently, Pankaj Singh played 2 Tests in 2014-15, taking 2 wickets — making Suthar the first Rajasthan cricketer to break into the Test side since then.
Suthar's Domestic Record
Suthar's rise has been backed by consistent performances across all formats at the domestic level. In 29 first-class matches, he has scored 945 runs and taken an impressive 129 wickets, underlining his value as a genuine match-winning all-rounder. In List A cricket, he has played 25 matches, contributing 350 runs and 34 wickets. Across 29 Twenty20 matches, he has scored 94 runs and claimed 25 wickets.
What to Watch at Mullanpur
The first Test between India and Afghanistan at Mullanpur from 6 June 2026 will be closely watched as a potential debut stage for Suthar. As a spin-bowling all-rounder, he could prove especially effective on subcontinental pitches against an Afghanistan side that itself relies heavily on spin. His selection signals the selectors' appetite for depth in the all-rounder department ahead of a busy international calendar.
Point of View
But it also raises a structural question: why does Rajasthan — a large state with a deep pool of talent — produce a Test cricketer only once a decade? His first-class numbers, particularly 129 wickets in 29 games, are hard to ignore and suggest the selectors have been watching closely. The Afghanistan series, while not the sternest Test, offers Suthar a controlled environment to establish himself. The real measure will come when he faces stronger opposition — and whether the BCCI's selection philosophy sustains him through the inevitable early-career turbulence.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manav Suthar?
Manav Suthar is a Rajasthan all-rounder who has been selected for India's Test squad for the Afghanistan series in June 2026. He has taken 129 wickets and scored 945 runs in 29 first-class matches, establishing himself as one of domestic cricket's most productive all-rounders.
Why is Manav Suthar's selection significant for Rajasthan?
Suthar is the first cricketer from Rajasthan to be picked for India's Test team in 12 years, since Pankaj Singh played two Tests in 2014-15. The state has historically produced very few Test cricketers, making his selection a landmark moment for Rajasthan cricket.
When and where is the India vs Afghanistan Test series?
The first Test between India and Afghanistan is scheduled to be played at Mullanpur starting 6 June 2026.
What is Manav Suthar's domestic cricket record?
In 29 first-class matches, Suthar has scored 945 runs and taken 129 wickets. He has also played 25 List A matches (350 runs, 34 wickets) and 29 Twenty20 matches (94 runs, 25 wickets).
Which cricketers from Rajasthan have played Test cricket before Manav Suthar?
Rajasthan's previous Test cricketers include Salim Durani (29 Tests, 1959-60 to 1972-73), Hanumant Singh (14 Tests, 1963-64 to 1969-70), Parthasarathy Sharma (5 Tests, 1974-75 to 1976-77), and Pankaj Singh (2 Tests, 2014-15).
