Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik has named Manav Suthar as Ravindra Jadeja’s successor ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Suthar made his Test debut against Afghanistan and bagged seven wickets in the match, including a six-wicket haul in the first innings.

The left-arm spinner was able to get the right dip and turn on the New Chandigarh track and impressed one and all with his skills. Suthar also scored an impressive knock of 28 runs in the first innings.

Suthar is expected to be part of India’s playing XI for the opening Test match against Sri Lanka and he would once again look to deliver.

“I think he is a very, very good bowler, let’s not compare him with anybody. He is old school, he has got many things going very well for him. For me, I was jumping with joy when I was doing that game against Afghanistan, because I was calling that game, and for me to see somebody release the ball like that and have that kind of consistency and have that kind of skill. After a very long time, we are seeing a bowler like that. Maybe for India, it has come at a good time,” Murali Kartik told a select group of reporters during a chat organised by Sony Sports Network.

Kartik added that veteran spinner Ravindra Jadeja won’t be happy with him after his prediction.

“Ravindra Jadeja will punch me the next time he meets me, but at the end of the day, he is on the wrong side of thirty. He is in the twilight of his career, and we don’t know how long he is going to play. From that point of view, you are always looking at passing the baton,” Kartik added

Meanwhile, Suthar returned with figures of 2-33 against Sri Lanka XI in the warm-up game.

India will face Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle from August 15.