Has anyone taken more wickets than Manav Suthar in first two Test matches?

Manav Suthar emerged as India’s hero with a 10-wicket haul at the start of his Test career.

Test cricket has a history of more than a century, and hence it has witnessed several extraordinary starts from bowlers who have since become legends, while some faded away with time.

Some announced themselves with spectacular wicket-taking performances, while some built a reputation through consistency at the start of their careers. 

With the longest format often being considered one of the most challenging formats in the game of cricket, only a handful of bowlers have made an extraordinary impact right after their debut in this format. However, a sensational start to a Test career can immediately impact a debutant, for whom it remains one of the most memorable starts to their career. 

Manav Suthar joined an exclusive group after claiming 17 wickets in his first two Test matches for India. The left-arm spinner had made an immediate impression after two five-wicket hauls and a 10-wicket haul in his two games.

However, many bowlers have picked up even more than his tally of 17 wickets after the first two matches in their Test careers. 

From Narendra Hirwani’s spectacular start to more recent breakthroughs of Indian bowler Axar Patel, Bangladeshi spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, the longest format of the game has witnessed many such proud performers. 

Bowlers with more than 17 wickets after their first two Tests

After Manav Suthar picked 17 wickets in the first two matches of his Test career, cricket fans are eager to know which other bowlers have achieved a similar feat in their Test careers. Although Suthar took 17 wickets, several bowlers have recorded even better figures in their first two Test matches.

Among all such players, two are Indian players: Narendra Hirwani, the record holder, is at the top of the list with a stunning 16-wicket haul on debut. Axar Patel is the second Indian on this list with 18 wickets by the end of his first two Test matches back in 2021.

Prabath Jayasuriya, the Sri Lankan spinner who played in the same match at Galle, where Suthar picked his maiden 10-wicket haul, is also on the list with 21 wickets. Among the current active players, Mehidy Hasan Miraz from Bangladesh is also on the list of bowlers with 19 wickets.

Here’s the list of bowlers with more wickets than Manav Suthar after their first 2 Tests:

• Narendra Hirwani (India) – 24 wickets 
• Alec Bedser (England) – 22 wickets 
• Bob Massie (Australia) – 21 wickets 
• Prabath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 21 wickets 
• Sydney Barnes (England) – 19 wickets 
•  Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh) – 19 wickets 
• John Ferris (Australia) – 18 wickets 
• Clarrie Grimmett (Australia) – 18 wickets
• Alf Valentine (West Indies) – 18 wickets
• Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 18 wickets
• Axar Patel (India) – 18 wickets

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