Manav Suthar has been India’s leading wicket-taker in Sri Lanka with 15 wickets so far in the two Tests till Day 4.
Published: August 27, 2026, 10:47 AM IST
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Manav Suthar (centre) celebrates after claiming a wicket on Day 4 of 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka(Photo: IANS)
IND vs SL 2026 2nd Test: Shubman Gill and Team India are closing in on a Test series whitewash against Sri Lanka and one of the success stories on the tour has been left-arm spinner and all-rounder Manav SutharThe Gujarat Titans claimed his maiden 10-wicket haul in the first Test at Galle last week to set up India’s dominant win.
In the second Test, Suthar has already claimed 5 wickets at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in ColomboHe was the pick of Indian bowlers in first innings with pacer Prasidh Krishna – both claiming 3 wickets each.
In the second innings, Suthar already has a couple of wickets – including the wicket of Lankan top-scorer Pasindu Sooriyabandara for 92In the process, Suthar has also become the second highest wicket-taker in Test cricket in 2026 in only 3 matches so far.
The 24-year-old left-arm spinner from Rajasthan has claimed 22 wickets in 3 Tests at an average of 16.5He is only a couple of wickets behind New Zealand pacer Nathan Smith, who has picked up 24 wickets in 4 Tests at an average of 19.2.
Bangladesh left-arm spinner is currently in 3rd place with 22 wickets – same as England’s Josh Tongue – with averages of 22.04 and 28.5 respectively.
Bowlers with most wickets in Test cricket in 2026…
| Name | Country | Test | Wickets | Average |
| Nathan Smith | New Zealand | 4 | 24 | 19.2 |
| Manav Suthar | India | 3 | 22 | 16.5 |
| Taijul Islam | Bangladesh | 5 | 22 | 22.04 |
| Josh Tongue | England | 5 | 22 | 28.5 |
| Mohammad Abbas | Pakistan | 4 | 19 | 21.1 |
Manav Suthar patiently sets up Pasindu Sooriyabandara, ball by ball, before springing the trap️
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India’s spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule was impressed by performance of Suthar so far and said it will be a good learning experience for the young cricketer.
“It is an experience for himThis is just his third Test matchHe is going to face different situations, as he is going to play along and he is well prepared for that, to be very honestHe knew that they were going to charge at himHe created those opportunities, but it didn’t go in his favour in that period,” Bahutule said in the post-day press conference on Wednesday.
However, the 25-year-old came back well from the initial hammering at the hands of Lankan batters, taking two wickets while conceding just 15 runs from a six-over second spellThe wickets of Sooriyabandara and SL captain Dhananjaya de Silva turned the match decisively in favour of India in the last session of the day.
“He is definitely a learning cricketerWhat I like about him is his resilienceIt is fabulousRegardless of the situation, whenever you throw the ball to him, he will give that 100 percentHe is very composedHe understands what is expected of him.
“The Lankan batters also did well against him todayIn fact, they did play some good shotsBut I am sure, again, the learnings from this game, he will take them forwardHe will be better equipped when the same situation arises,” Bahutule said about Suthar.
