Ex-India cricketer shares candid opinion on Ravindra Jadeja, suggesting age may be a factor in his performance.

Former Indian cricketer Murali Kartik has expressed confidence in the potential of young spinner Manav Suthar, suggesting he could be a suitable successor to Ravindra Jadeja in the national Test team. As both players prepare for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, they are expected to be key figures in the playing XI for the first match in Galle later this week.

At 37 years old, Jadeja's career is nearing its end, prompting Kartik to advocate for a strategic transition in India's spin-bowling lineup. He sees Suthar as a promising long-term asset, particularly due to the young bowler's dual capabilities with bat and ball. Suthar made his Test debut earlier this year, quickly making a name for himself by taking seven wickets, including an impressive six-wicket haul against Afghanistan in Mullanpur.

In addition to his debut performance, Suthar showcased his skills during a recent three-day warm-up match against the SLC XI, where he claimed two wickets and scored 45 runs. His first-innings contribution of 41 runs further demonstrated his all-round abilities, reinforcing Kartik's belief in his potential.

While acknowledging Suthar's talents, Kartik emphasized the importance of evaluating him on his own merits rather than making direct comparisons to Jadeja. “I think he is a very, very good bowler. Let's not compare him with anybody. He is old-school; he has many things going very well for him,” Kartik remarked during a media interaction organized by Sony Sports Network. He expressed his excitement at witnessing Suthar's bowling style, noting the consistency and skill he displayed during the match against Afghanistan.

Kartik also pointed out the significance of Suthar's emergence at a time when Jadeja's career is winding down. “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 much longer he will play. From that point of view, you are always looking at passing the baton,” he added.

Although Jadeja has not officially retired from Test cricket, he has been sidelined from India's ODI plans, having played only six matches since the Champions Trophy in 2025, where he took just one wicket. With Suthar now integrated into the Test setup and demonstrating his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game, Kartik believes India is well-positioned for a smooth transition in their spin-bowling department.