The one-off Test between India and Afghanistan is currently underway at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. The Men in Blue have shown pure dominance so far as they posted a massive total of 564/8 in their first innings, thanks to an impressive ton from skipper Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant also contributed 81 runs each.
However, despite the brilliant batting show, debutant Manav Suthar, who got his cap from Kuldeep Yadav, grabbed the limelight as he returned with impressive figures of 6/33. He destroyed Afghanistan’s batting line-up with his sensational bowling in his debut match, and played a key role in forcing a follow-on for the Afghans.
Manav Suthar enters elite Test debut list
Let’s dive into this story to find out about the Indian bowlers who returned with the best figures in a Test debut.
1. Narendra Hirwani – 8/61 vs West Indies, Chennai, 1988
Narendra Hirwani tops the list of bowlers to return with impressive figures in a Test debut. Hirwani made a legendary Test debut against the West Indies at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Hirwani made his India Test debut at the age of 19 and claimed 16 wickets – 8/61 in the first innings and 8/75 in the second innings. This is the best bowling figures in Test debut history.
2. Manav Suthar – 6/33 vs Afghanistan, New Chandigarh, 2026
Manav Suthar comes second on the list as he made his dream debut in Test cricket against Afghanistan in a one-off Test. The left-arm spinner, who received his Test cap from Kuldeep Yadav, became only the 10th Indian bowler and the seventh spinner from the country to claim a five-wicket haul on Test debut. The 23-year-old returned with impressive figures of 6/33 dismantling the Afghan batting line-up.
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3. S Abid Ali – 6/55 vs Australia, Adelaide, 1967
Former India cricketer Syed Abid Ali, who made his Test debut in 1967, ranks third on the list as he returned with impressive figures of 6/55. The medium pace all-rounder from Hyderabad targeted Australia’s top and middle order. Despite Abid Ali’s sensational bowling show India lost the match by 146 runs in Adelaide.
4. Dilip Doshi – 6/103 vs Australia, Chennai, 1979
Dilip Doshi ranks fourth on the list to return with best bowling figures in Test debut. Doshi claimed 6 wickets and conceded 103 runs against Australia at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Doshi earned his maiden Test call-up at the age of 31 after grinding in the domestic setup for years. He made an immediate impact, announcing himself on the world stage by destroying the Australian batting order in the very first innings of the match.
