Keshav Maharaj hails young India spinner Suthar as future star

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj praised India’s young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, calling him a “gem” after his impressive performances against Sri Lanka in Galle. Maharaj said Suthar’s control and variations could help him carry India’s spin legacy forward

New Delhi: He has watched only a few clips of Manav Suthar’s heroics against Sri Lanka in Galle but seasoned Keshav Maharaj has no doubt that the Indian team has unearthed a “gem”, who will carry forward the legacy of great left-arm spinners in Test cricket.

Maharaj, who has 218 wickets from 62 Tests, has been one of Test cricket’s premier left-arm spinner alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Prabath Jayasuriya in current era, spoke highly of Rajasthan bowler, who has already picked 17 wickets in his first two games.

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“To be honest, I haven’t watched much of the Test match but watching highlights that pop up on social media, I think he started off his career on the right foot,” Maharaj told PTI in an exclusive interaction on Saturday.

Maharaj has no doubts that Suthar will be carrying the torch of Indian spin attack in Test cricket in the next decade.

“The way he has bowled in this Test match, just judging from his figures (4/71 and 6/55), I think India have found a real gem in him to take over the baton one day when the legends of the game decide to call it a day.”

What Maharaj liked about the little glimpses that he got to watch is Suthar’s control over the variations that he possesses.

“He’s got really good control and subtle variations. I know he’s done well in county cricket (for Warwickshire) when he did play if I’m not mistaken. But yeah, wonderful,” said the 36-year-old, who has 12 five-wicket haul in Tests.

While T20 cricket has a lot of left-arm spinners, who normally bowl restrictive lines, the classical breed is dwindling with passage of time with only a select few who have been able to excel in red ball cricket.

Maharaj, however is very happy that Suthar is the newest member of the “slow left-arm orthodox practitioners’ club”.

“I’m excited. I love spin bowling. So I’m always passionate towards fellow left-arm spinners and other spinners out there.”

While Maharaj practised the art of left-arm spin on not-so-conducive South African tracks while growing up, he ranked himself “third” when asked to compare himself with Prabath and Jadeja.

“I am number three,” he declares without batting an eye-lid.

And then who would be your number one and why? “I would probably say Ravindra Jadeja. He’s done it for a number of years. He’s got over 350 Test wickets (352), I think it is.

“Not only with the ball, Jadeja has done it with the bat for India on multiple occasions. We know what kind of threat he possesses whenever we play against him,” said Maharaj, himself no less accomplished.

“So yeah, I’d definitely say Ravindra Jadeja. Very clever, smart bowler. Also very simple, but so effective in the skill that he possesses.”

But he also rates Prabath Jayasuriya highly as it wasn’t easy to fill-up up the big boots of one of Sri Lanka’s greatest spin bowlers Rangana Herath.

“I have watched him for a number of years since he debuted after one of my heroes and guys that I looked up to — Rangana Herath, when he took over the baton over there.

“He’s done exceptionally well. I got to play against him in South Africa and he is only going to go from strength to strength. He bowls a huge number of overs. He doesn’t miss (length), doesn’t bowl too many bad balls. And he’s got a lot of wicket-taking ability. So yeah, he’s also brilliant.”