Five players who had an impactful Test debut against India
Fast bowler Kyle Jamieson had a dream debut in Test cricket as New Zealand beat India by 10 wickets in the Wellington Test. The right-arm seamer outfoxed both Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli, having finished with bowling figures of 4/39 in the first innings. Let us have a look at the players who had an impactful Test debut against Men In Blue.
Michael Clarke was the chief architect of Australia's massive 217-run victory over India in the Bengaluru Test in 2004. Wickets fell in quick succession following the dismissal of Simon Katich. The Aussies were reeling at 256/5 when Clarke emanated the rescue operation with Adam Gilchrist. He ended up scoring 151 off 248 balls. A terrific 167-run stand between the two was the turning point.
Alastair Cook showed incredible resistance first up against the likes of Irfan Pathan, Sreesanth, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh in the first Test between India and England at Nagpur. The stylish southpaw scored an unbeaten 104 off 243 balls, as an opener in England's second innings. The match was eventually drawn, but Cook's meticulous innings grabbed quite a few eyeballs.
Nearly six years after Cook's debut, Joe Root announced his arrival at the very same venue against India. England staged a remarkable turnaround in the second and third Test after losing the series opener. Hence, Root grabbed his maiden Test call-up for the fourth Test. His resilience on the Nagpur rank turner made him score 73 off 229 balls in the first innings.
Pakistan bowling legend Waqar Younis made his Test debut alongside his counterpart Sachin Tendulkar in India's 1989 Pakistan tour. The Karachi Test is famous for Waqar's barrage of bouncers against the Indian batsmen. He also dismissed Sachin, who was 16 then, with a vicious in-swinging delivery that rattled his stumps. The Pakistan fast bowler ended up with 4/91 as the match was drawn.
West Indian seamer Franklyn Rose proved lethal in his Test debut against India in 1997 at Kingston. He was highly deceptive throughout the Test with his deadly outswing, blowing up the Indian batting order in the first innings. The seamer finished with bowling figures of 6/100. Although Rose enjoyed a resounding debut, the Test match ended in a draw.
