Sairaj Bahutule's reaction to Manav Suthar's difficult spell is essentially a message of perspective rather than concern. For a 25-year-old playing only his third Test, getting attacked by Sri Lanka's batters is being treated as part of his development.
Suthar had a rough first spell—but responded brilliantly
Suthar was taken apart during his opening 12 overs on Day 4, conceding 65 runs without a wicket. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva attacked him aggressively, including four sixes.
Rather than seeing that as a tactical failure, Bahutule pointed out that Suthar already knew the batters would attack him. The opportunities he was trying to create simply didn't work during that spell.
And then came the response.
Suthar returned for a second spell and produced 2 wickets for only 15 runs in six overs, dismissing both Sooriyabandara and Dhananjaya de Silva. Those wickets were particularly valuable because they came when Sri Lanka were trying to build momentum in the final session.
The most encouraging part is his temperament
Bahutule's strongest praise wasn't about Suthar's figures. It was about his resilience.
The coach described him as a "learning cricketer" who remains composed regardless of the situation and gives 100% whenever the ball is handed to him.
That's important for a young spinner. International batters will inevitably have days when they successfully attack his length or neutralise his strengths. The real test is what happens after the punishment.
Suthar's Day 4 effectively had two halves:
That turnaround is arguably more encouraging for India than a routine economical spell would have been.
India are now close to victory
Sri Lanka have been forced to follow on and are currently only 16 runs ahead, with four wickets remaining.
That puts India firmly in control. Suthar could therefore have one final, potentially decisive role: helping remove the remaining batters and restrict Sri Lanka to a small fourth-innings target.
And there is a useful lesson here for Suthar too: being attacked isn't necessarily a sign that a spinner has bowled badly—sometimes it means the opposition believes attacking him is their best route to survival. The ability to adjust and come back, which he demonstrated on Day 4, is what India will value most.
If you want, I can also break down exactly how India engineered the collapse after Sri Lanka's strong start on Day 4.
