Cheteshwar Pujara slams India for overlooking Manav Suthar for New Zealand Tests

Cheteshwar Pujara slams India for overlooking Manav Suthar for New Zealand Tests

Pujara Questions Manav Suthar’s Omission from India’s New Zealand Test Squad

Cheteshwar Pujara has questioned India’s decision to leave young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar out of the squad for the upcoming Test tour of New Zealand. The former India batter believes Suthar deserved a place in the touring group, even if only as a reserve, and says the trip could have offered him valuable experience in unfamiliar conditions.

India’s two-Test series against New Zealand is scheduled to begin on November 19, with important World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake. The selectors have named Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav as the squad’s specialist spin options. But Pujara feels the selection also presented an opportunity to introduce another promising spinner to the demands of overseas Test cricket.

Why Pujara Believes Suthar Deserved a Place

Speaking on Star Sports, Pujara said Suthar’s absence from the squad surprised him. He acknowledged that the young spinner might not have been selected in the playing XI, but argued that being part of the touring party would still have been worthwhile.

“Someone like Manav Suthar should be part of the Test squad,” Pujara said, adding that the spinner could have been included as a 17th player. In his view, touring with the team would help Suthar understand the preparation, training and tactical discussions involved in an overseas Test campaign—even if he did not take the field.

The debate reflects a familiar challenge for selectors: balancing the need to choose a squad for immediate results with the longer-term value of developing players. India already have experienced spin options, but Pujara’s argument is that a reserve place could have served as an investment in the team’s future without necessarily changing the first-choice combination.

New Zealand Conditions Offer a Different Test

Pujara highlighted the learning opportunity that New Zealand’s conditions can provide. Indian domestic cricket, including the Ranji Trophy, gives spinners extensive experience on subcontinental surfaces. New Zealand, however, can present a different examination, with conditions that may favour seam movement and require bowlers to adjust their pace, length and attacking plans.

For a young spinner, observing how established players prepare and respond to those conditions can be as instructive as playing. A tour can offer exposure to unfamiliar pitches, weather, training routines and match situations. It can also help a player learn how to contribute when the ball is not turning sharply or when the opposition’s batters are able to attack spin more comfortably.

Pujara said Suthar had already played substantial Ranji Trophy cricket and performed well enough to merit consideration. He described the New Zealand trip as a chance to learn how to bowl outside India, where patience and control can be just as important as turn. That experience, he suggested, could benefit Suthar in future Tests, whether in New Zealand or on other overseas tours.

Why Overseas Experience Is Hard to Come By

One of Pujara’s central points is that India do not visit New Zealand frequently. Drawing on his own international career, which spanned roughly 12 to 13 years, he noted that he travelled to the country only twice. That limited exposure makes each tour particularly valuable for younger players hoping to build a broader understanding of Test cricket.

India’s tours of New Zealand, England and Australia are often viewed as important benchmarks for players. The conditions differ from those at home, and success can depend on adapting quickly rather than relying on familiar methods. A young cricketer who travels with the squad gains an early look at those challenges and can carry that knowledge into later selections.

That is the basis of Pujara’s prediction about the long-term value of including Suthar: even without an immediate role in the XI, the experience could strengthen the spinner’s readiness for future opportunities. With limited chances to tour certain countries, he argued, teams should make the most of each visit by exposing developing players to the environment.

India’s Pace-Bowling Depth Also Raises Questions

Pujara’s comments were not limited to spin selection. He also expressed concern about India’s pace-bowling options if Jasprit Bumrah is unavailable. The former batter said he was less worried about the batting lineup, but felt the seam attack could lack experience in that scenario.

Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Singh could come into consideration, depending on the squad’s availability and the team management’s assessment. Prasidh Krishna’s fitness and readiness may also influence India’s choices. The final combination will depend on conditions, player form and whether the selectors prioritise additional pace, all-round balance or spin support.

Bumrah’s absence would be significant because of his ability to generate pace, movement and control in different conditions. New Zealand’s pitches can reward disciplined seam bowling, making depth in that department important across a two-Test series. Pujara’s concern points to a broader selection question: how can India maintain a competitive attack while also giving younger bowlers meaningful opportunities?

Selection Balance Ahead of a Crucial WTC Series

India’s squad includes several all-rounders, alongside the three named spin options. That gives the team flexibility, but it also means every place in the touring group carries strategic weight. The selectors must account for workload, injuries and the possibility that conditions will change from one Test to the next.

For the immediate series, India will be focused on building a combination capable of competing for WTC points. For the longer term, Pujara’s remarks underline the importance of preparing emerging players before they are thrust into high-pressure matches. Taking a young cricketer on tour does not guarantee selection, but it can help close the gap between domestic success and international readiness.

Suthar’s omission is therefore more than a discussion about one reserve spot. It raises a wider question about how India develop their next generation of Test players, particularly in roles where overseas experience is scarce. As the New Zealand series approaches, the team’s choices in both spin and pace will be closely watched—and so will the opportunities available to the players waiting just outside the first-choice XI.

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