The BCCI announced a 16-member squad on October 16, 2026 for India's two-match away Test series against New Zealand, which begins November 19 in Wellington. The squad included established spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav, but notably excluded Manav Suthar, the 24-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner who has taken 23 wickets in three Tests since his debut on June 6, 2026.
Legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has offered insight into the selection decision, explaining the management's reasoning behind the exclusion. Ashwin noted that India might not play a specialist spinner in the playing XI, with Jadeja and Washington Sundar offering spin-bowling options while contributing with the bat.
"It is quite clear to me that no specialist spinner will feature in the playing XI. By that, I mean nobody will be playing the role of a specialist spinner. The management is saying that Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja can both play as batters for us," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Why no specialist spinner in India's playing XI?
Ashwin acknowledged Suthar's credentials as an attacking spinner capable of serving as India's primary spinner. The selection strategy reflects the belief that New Zealand conditions will favour seamers more than spinners, reducing the need for a dedicated spin bowler in the XI.
"So, if they can provide some spin, we won’t need a third spinner. If the pitch offers as much turn, we will use Kuldeep Yadav. There is no need for Manav Suthar. I think that is quite a tricky situation because Manav Suthar is an attacking spinner who can play the role of India’s primary spinner. I would have loved to see him in the squad," Ashwin said.
However, Ashwin expressed reservations about leaving Suthar out entirely from the squad. He highlighted the value of squad continuity and the learning opportunity a tour would provide to the young spinner, particularly given Suthar's strong Test record of 23 wickets including two five-wicket hauls across his three appearances against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
"So somewhere, even if you are not going to use him, I would have loved to see him in the squad because it is a question of continuity, and he would learn so much on the tour. I am not saying that you should take a player just for the sake of learning if he does not deserve to be there. But he has performed as well and deserves to go on the tour. So, it is a bit unfortunate," he added.
"He can bat too. What happens if Jadeja suffers an injury towards the end, perhaps during practice? Then you don’t have a left-arm spinner who could offer something," he concluded.
