When Shikhar Dhawan came on to the crease to open the innings for India in the Mohali Test, he was carrying the burden of replacing one of the most devasting batsmen in world cricket – Virender Sehwag. But he not only lived up to the expectations showed on him by tyhe selectors, but came out triumphant with a swash-buckling 187 that put him on the top of the list of Indians scoring a century on Test debut.
Only 13 Indian batsmen have started their Test career by scoring a century as an opener so far. Here we bring to you the Top-5 run-getters for India on a Test debut.
SHIKHAR DHAWAN: Shikhar Dhawan played a brilliant knock in his debut Test match against Australia and made the cricketing world go gaga over his fantastic hundred. He was a treat to watch because of his aggressive approach and he played some exquisite shots that raced away to the boundary. He showed good composure and made sure that he woould take aerial root only when he got loose deliveries.
This 27-year-old, unleashed himself which was something unexpected from a debutant. He simply thrashed every Aussie bowler all over the park. His brilliant knock of 187 runs in just 174 balls was studded with 33 boundaries and two huge sixes.
GUNDAPPA VISWANATH: Gundappa Viswanath was one of the most stylish batsmen that world cricket has ever seen. Viswanath’s batting has always been a hallmark of elegance and the manner in which he galvanized his debut knock was mesmerizing. The way he played against the Aussie bowlers at the age of 20, in his first innings, was something exceptional. In his debut match, he faced the likes of Bill Lawry and went on to score 137.
SOURAV GANGULY: There couldn’t have been a bigger stage for the Prince of Kolkata, to start his Test career. At Lord’s, he went on to score a magnificent 131 against England in pretty tough conditions. God of the off-side, Ganguly, entertained the crowd with his 131 in 1996 debut. Incidentally, Rahul Dravid too made his debut in the same game but he got out on 96.
SURINDER AMARNATH: He was a schoolboy prodigy who rocked the Ranji Trophy when he was only 15. He made his mark first by scoring a hundred against SriLanka in an unofficial Test in 1975-76 and later he lived up to this early potential by slamming a brilliant 124 at Auckland in 1976 on his Test debut. His career lasted just for 10 Tests.
SURESH RAINA: Raina took-off his Terst career with a swash-buckling knock of 120 at Colombo against Sri Lanka in 2010. He not just scored a terrific century but showed a lot of character in his innings which separates him from the rest of the budding cricketers. He might not be a regular face in the Indian Test squad right now, but he is a very promising young talent that India would like to have in their playing eleven.
By Amit Chopra
Indian Sports News Network