Manav Suthar Shines with Five Wickets Against Australia A

In a remarkable comeback after a long injury lay-off, left-arm spinner Manav Suthar took center stage by claiming five wickets against Australia A. This impressive performance occurred on the first day of the second unofficial Test held at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, where Australia A was restricted to 350 runs. Suthar, who had not played competitively since January, showcased his skills and control, significantly impacting the match's flow.

India A won the toss and opted to field first, and the decision quickly paid dividends. Unlike the first match where Australia A's batsmen began with a strong start, they faced early setbacks this time. Mohammed Siraj, who is part of the Indian Test squad, and Prasidh Krishna were effective in their roles, providing essential breakthroughs, though they took only one wicket each.

Prasidh Krishna, who had struggled in the previous match, showed improvement by maintaining an economical bowling rate. He struck first, dismissing Campbell Kellaway cheaply. Sam Konstas, who had previously excelled, had to sweat for his runs this time, eventually edging Siraj to the wicketkeeper after a hard-fought innings.

Once the pacers made early inroads, it was Suthar who took control. The talented spinner, still finding his footing in T20 formats, proved to be a game-changer. He dismissed Oliver Peake and later had Cooper Connolly caught behind, leaving Australia A reeling at 150/4.

Despite a brief recovery led by captain Nathan McSweeney and wicketkeeper Josh Philippe, who looked promising, Suthar's relentless bowling ensured that Australia struggled to build partnerships. He dismissed both McSweeney and Philippe, keeping the pressure firmly on the opposition.

The highlight of the day was Jack Edwards' counter-attack, who scored quickly but could not find consistent support. Suthar's ability to take wickets at crucial moments meant that Edwards had to shoulder the burden alone. In the end, India A's bowlers, led by Suthar, successfully restricted Australia A, setting a solid foundation for their batting unit.

With players like KL Rahul and Nitish Kumar Reddy also participating, India A is gearing up for the upcoming Tests against West Indies. Suthar's performance not only underscores his potential but also enhances India's bowling depth as they prepare for the challenges ahead.

Brief scores: Australia A 350/9 (Jack Edwards 88, Nathan McSweeney 74; Manav Suthar 5/93) vs India A.