Former India left-arm spinner Murali Kartik on Monday, 19 October 2026 expressed shock at the exclusion of Manav Suthar from India's Test squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, calling the young left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder the side's best Test bowler in recent times. Kartik's remarks came ahead of India's multi-format tour beginning on 22 October, with the two-match Test series set to be played in Wellington and Christchurch.

Suthar's Case: Numbers That Demand Selection

Manav Suthar announced himself on the Test stage with a stunning debut stretch — 23 wickets in three matches, including 16 wickets during India's 1-0 series win over Sri Lanka in August 2026. The 24-year-old also claimed 27 wickets in six County Championship matches for Warwickshire this year, adding tactical experience of bowling in overseas conditions. Despite this record, the selectors passed over him for the New Zealand assignment.

Kartik argued that the rationale often used against Kuldeep Yadav — that he is not a strong enough lower-order batter — applies equally to Suthar, making the all-rounder's exclusion difficult to justify. 'Manav Suthar has been the find of the season, especially post Ashwin. We have been searching for a Test match bowler,' Kartik said in a virtual interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network.

What Kartik Said — Verbatim

'Look, it's a tough one for me to be very honest because when I saw the squads, I was shocked myself. Manav Suthar has been the best bowler on view in the Test matches that we have had of late,' he said. Kartik further noted the inconsistency in Kuldeep's selection, adding: 'He is not able to string together games, or he is not stringing together games. It was Manav Suthar [who excelled], and I am a bit surprised because he is your genuine wicket-taking option alongside Kuldeep Yadav.'

India's Spin Choices and the New Zealand Challenge

India have named three spin options for the Tests — specialist spinner Kuldeep Yadav alongside all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Crucially, only Jadeja has bowled in a Test match in New Zealand previously. Suthar will instead join the India A squad for three red-ball matches as part of a shadow tour, which also includes batters Dhruv Jurel, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, and B Sai Sudharsan.

Kartik emphasised there is no fixed formula for spinners bowling in New Zealand. 'You have to play with the dimensions. You have to work with the wind because the breeze can blow. They are very funny-shaped grounds — many of them are really tiny as well. So you need to have a big heart,' he said, highlighting the unique challenges of New Zealand's varied ground shapes and gusty mid-spring conditions.

Batting Inexperience and WTC Stakes

With only Jadeja and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant — currently nursing a left side strain — having previously batted in Tests in New Zealand, Kartik flagged a steep learning curve for India's inexperienced middle order. The two Tests carry 24 World Test Championship (WTC) points, which are critical to India's qualification prospects for the 2027 WTC final. Skipper Shubman Gill will join Test preparations after completing his first three ODIs of the tour.

'It's going to be a very, very challenging tour for everyone. Those guys know how to exploit those conditions,' Kartik warned, adding that India's batters would face a genuine examination at the highest level on pitches they are largely unacquainted with.