Several cricketers have had memorable and impactful debuts in international cricket. These debuts often mark the beginning of successful and illustrious careers. Here are some notable instances:
- Sachin Tendulkar (India):
- Debut: Test – November 15, 1989; ODI – December 18, 1989
- Tendulkar made his Test debut against Pakistan at the age of 16 and played a crucial role in India’s victory. His ODI debut followed shortly after, and he became a cricketing legend with a career that spanned over two decades.
- Brian Lara (West Indies):
- Debut: Test – December 6, 1990; ODI – November 9, 1990
- Lara made a memorable Test debut against Pakistan, scoring 44 and 5 not out. He went on to break several records in his illustrious career, including the highest individual Test score of 400 not out.
- Wasim Akram (Pakistan):
- Debut: Test – January 25, 1985; ODI – November 23, 1984
- Wasim Akram made his mark with a five-wicket haul on his Test debut against New Zealand. He went on to become one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, known for his swing and seam bowling.
- Ricky Ponting (Australia):
- Debut: Test – December 8, 1995; ODI – February 15, 1995
- Ponting announced his arrival in Test cricket with a century against Sri Lanka. He later became one of Australia’s most successful captains and batsmen.
- Virat Kohli (India):
- Debut: Test – August 18, 2011; ODI – August 18, 2008
- Kohli made a significant impact in his first Test against West Indies with a century. He is regarded as one of the modern-day batting greats and has led India to numerous victories.
- Shane Warne (Australia):
- Debut: Test – January 2, 1992; ODI – March 24, 1993
- Warne’s Test debut against India saw him pick up a memorable delivery to dismiss Ravi Shastri. He became one of the greatest leg-spinners in the history of the game.
- Andrew Strauss (England):
- Debut: Test – May 20, 2004; ODI – May 28, 2003
- Strauss made a stunning debut century against New Zealand in the Test format. He later captained England and played a key role in their Ashes victories.
- Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan):
- Debut: ODI – June 7, 2017
- Fakhar Zaman made an impact in his debut ODI innings by scoring a blistering 114 runs against India in the ICC Champions Trophy final, helping Pakistan win the title.
These are just a few examples, and there are many more cricketers who had remarkable debuts and went on to have successful international careers. Debut performances often set the tone for a player’s career and leave a lasting impression on cricket fans.
