Bahutule impressed by Suthar's steady progress
India's spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule had glowing praise for Manav Suthar’s growing consistency.
India spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has backed Manav Suthar's consistency and adaptability following his ten-wicket haul in Galle in the ICC World Test Championship series opener against Sri Lanka.
Suthar has impressed with his accuracy and ability to consistently hit the lengths India are looking for, picking up 4-76 and 6-55 in the first Test.
Bahutule pointed out the improvements in his trajectory and revolutions on the ball that have given him 17 wickets in just two Test outings.
"He is somebody who is very accurate," said Bahutule.
"His trajectories are just getting better and better, puts in a lot on the ball, the revs are good and he is somebody who is like a banker for us, consistently being in the lengths which we want to.
"That's how he is also evolving, he is also growing and we try and keep it very simple to be honest, not complicate things and work on his strengths."
The India coach further shed light on Test skipper Shubman Gill's approach with the bat, saying the captain naturally adapts to the conditions rather than following an overly rigid plan.
Gill scored 24 runs across two innings respectively, after entering the series as the third-highest run-getter in the current WTC cycle.
"Shubman, I think he has his method of adapting. I don't think the way he plays, there is a flow of runs always."
"So, he is somebody who is just assessing the pitch conditions, the pace of the pitch and seeing what are the type of shots he can play, what are the defences he can manoeuvre and he is just adapting to the conditions."
"There is nothing too much into it in terms of planning how he is going to approach. I think he just follows his natural way of playing each innings."
With the second Test approaching, Sri Lanka having made changes to their batting unit, and India also have decisions to make over their bowling combination, with conditions set to play a key role in determining the frameup of their lineup.
Despite taking just one wicket, slow left-arm unorthodox spinner Kuldeep Yadav remains firmly in India's plans, according to Bahutule, who praised the left-arm wrist-spinner's ability while stressing that the final combination will depend on the conditions.
"It all depends on the conditions.
"How, what is the need at that particular time, in different conditions, what would be the right combination, is fast bowling an option, is adding a spinner an option.
"Kuldeep, for me, has been a fabulous bowler over the years. The wickets sometimes are slow and sometimes the ball operates differently for the spinners on certain surfaces."
"He has always been a match winner and he definitely is in the scheme of things but we will again decide on the combination."