India hammered Afghanistan by an innings and 262 runs in Bengaluru, recording their largest-ever margin of victory in Test cricket.
The result was never in doubt once Manav Suthar took the ball. The debutant left-arm spinner dismantled the Afghan lineup, claiming six wickets for 48 runs in the second innings to finish with a match haul of nine. Afghanistan, tasked with chasing a massive first-innings deficit, folded for just 111 in 34 overs.
The win marks a clinical display of home dominance. India’s batters set the tone on day one, racking up 520 runs before declaring, with the top order exploiting a pitch that offered just enough turn to keep the bowlers interested.
Suthar’s performance was the standout narrative. Brought into the side as a tactical variation, the 22-year-old showed composure beyond his years. He varied his pace and trajectory, leaving the Afghan middle order struggling to find a rhythm. His spell of 6-48 ensured the game didn’t extend into a fourth day, a rarity in modern Test cricket where weather or resilient tail-enders often force a conclusion.
“I just focused on hitting the right areas,” Suthar told reporters after the game. “The pitch was helping, but you still have to put the ball in the right spot repeatedly.”
For Afghanistan, this serves as a harsh reality check. After showing promise in shorter formats, their transition to the longest format remains a work in progress. Their inability to build partnerships against India’s spin trio—Suthar, Ashwin, and Jadeja—left their lower order with too much to do. They lost their last five wickets for just 38 runs.
This victory eclipses India’s previous record win—an innings and 239-run triumph over Bangladesh in 2007. It also serves as a warning to future visitors: the Indian spin attack, bolstered by fresh talent like Suthar, remains the most formidable unit in the game.
With the series wrapped up in clinical fashion, the selectors now face a pleasant dilemma regarding the composition of the bowling attack for the upcoming tour. Suthar has made his case, and he’s made it impossible to ignore.
