'Preserve him for Test format': Cheteshwar Pujara urges in-form Manav Suthar to not abandon his strength for IPL

24-year-old Manav Suthar has taken to Test cricket like a duck to water. Suthar bagged 10 wickets including a six-wicket haul against Sri Lanka, helping India win by 165 runs on Day 5 while rain threat loomed large in Colombo. As Suthar has already taken 17 wickets from two Tests, India’s legendary top-order Cheteshwar Pujara has urged the left-arm spinner to not move away from his strength to be successful in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Gujarat Titans (GT) bowling all-rounder has been told to stay away from flatter trajectory that bowlers often resort to in white-ball cricket. He has urged the selectors, team management to preserve him for the Test format.

“Try to preserve him. We have had this discussion in the past that, yes, all the young players might want to play the shorter format, but India should be looking to preserve him for the Test format. Yes, he might want to play the IPL, but don't go there. I mean, yes, if he gets the opportunity to play the IPL, that's fine, but don't change your strength,” Pujara said on the Sony Sports Network.

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“I think he doesn't need to change his bowling much. Just when it comes to white-ball cricket, you need to have that flatter trajectory, and I don't mind him playing in the IPL. If he plays in the IPL, if he's successful in the IPL, that is fine, but don't change your strength,” he added.

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Suthar’s IPL record

Suthar was roped in for his base price of Rs 30 lakh by GT in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Earlier, he had made his IPL debut got GT in 2024 edition. He did not make an impact on IPL debut against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He did not get a single game in IPL 2025.

In this year's IPL edition, he played four games, bowled in three innings and bagged a couple of wickets at 34 apiece. His economy rate was on the higher side with 11.33 runs per over. His maiden IPL wicket was RCB captain Rajat Patidar. He dismissed Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) Dewald Brevis as well. He was taken to the cleaners by Punjab Kings' (PBKS) Suryansh Shedge. He conceded 27 runs in just one over and didn't play another game in the season.

Suthar causes collapse, breaks records

In the second session on Day 5, Suthar caused a batting collapse. He got rid of the set batter Sonal Dinusha and dismissed Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara in the same over. Then, he ended Sri Lanka’s run chase with the wicket of Keshara Nuwantha.

Suthar registered the best bowling figures in a Test by an Indian bowler on Sri Lankan soil. He is only the third Indian bowler to take 10 wickets in a Test in Sri Lanka. Suthar also registered the best bowling figures in an away Test, breaking legendary Bishan Singh Bedi’s record.

In Suthar’s presence, Ravindra Jadeja seems like a support bowler. Kuldeep Yadav didn’t get much success or bowled enough overs in the Galle Test. India may look to bring right-arm off-spin all-rounder Saransh Jain in the side for the Colombo Test.