5 India legends whose ODI debut ended in defeat ft. Virat Kohli
Since India made their ODI debut in 1971, there have been 256 players who have represented the country in this format. The latest addition to the tally was Riyan Parag earlier this month, when he made his debut against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
These players have helped India appear in the World Cup final on four occasions - 1983, 2003, 2011, and 2023 and lifting the trophy in 1983 and 2011. Besides, the team also secured a title victory in the 2013 Champions Trophy.
However, not all players started on a good note, including Virat Kohli who celebrates his ODI debut anniversary today (August 18). Let's take a look at a few legendary Indian cricketers whose ODI journey began with a defeat.
#1 Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag made his ODI debut against Pakistan in April 1999 in Mohali. Batting first, India couldn't get off to a good start, as they lost four wickets inside the 75-run mark. However, Sourav Ganguly (57) and Robin Singh (42) got the team back on track.
Sehwag arrived at the crease at No. 7 and was trapped LBW by Shoaib Akhtar for 1 off 2. In the end, the Indian team was bundled out for 196, with Saqlain Mushtaq taking three wickets.
In response, Venkatesh Prasad inflicted a triple strike on Pakistan and reduced them to 32/3. However, the impressive knocks from Ijaz Ahmed (89*) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (63*) resulted in the Men in Green sealing the chase in 42 overs.
Sehwag ended his ODI career with over 8,000 runs and 96 wickets in 251 appearances, with 15 centuries.
#2 Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina kickstarted his 50-over career in July 2005 against Sri Lanka in Dambulla. The Indian's team decision to bat first completely misfired, as the batting unit could not respond well to the challenge.
Rahul Dravid was the top-scorer with his patient knock of 54 off 96. Meanwhile, Raina was out for a golden duck by Muttiah Muralitharan. At the end of 50 overs, India were restricted to 205/9, with Muralitharan scalping three wickets.
In response, Sri Lanka managed to wrap up the chase in the 49th over, with Sanath Jayasuriya remaining unbeaten on 43. Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh picked up two wickets for the visitors.
Raina played his last ODI in July 2018 and finished with 5,615 runs and 36 wickets in 226 games.
#3 Virat Kohli
On this day, 16 years ago, the world cricket saw the legendary Virat Kohli make his debut in the 50-over format against Sri Lanka in Dambulla. However, the right-handed batter could not make it special as he was dismissed for 12 off 22, while opening for the team.
Meanwhile, the entire batting unit struggled to score runs, as they were bundled out for 146, with Yuvraj Singh (23) as the top-scorer. Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan scalped three wickets apiece for the home side.
Then, the Islanders chased down the score easily with eight wickets to spare, as skipper Mahela Jayawardene (61*) and Chamara Kapugedera (45*) took the team home under 35 overs.
Irrespective of his lackluster debut, Kohli will end his career as a stalwart, having already amassed more than 13,900 runs with 50 centuries in 295 games.
#4 Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja began his ODI career against Sri Lanka in February 2009 in Colombo, with India leading the five-match series 4-0. The home side batted first and posted a formidable total of 320, with Tillakaratne Dilshan (97) and Kumar Sangakkara (84) as the major contributors. Ishant Sharma was the pick of the bowlers with three scalps, while Jadeja went wicketless with figures of 0/40 in six overs.
Thereafter, India were in a spot of bother at 52/3 in the ninth over. Nevertheless, Yuvraj Singh (73) and MS Dhoni (53) played well to keep India in the hunt. Although, Jadeja shone bright with his unbeaten knock of 60 off 77, the Indian team were all-out for 252.
So far, Jadeja has garnered over 2,700 runs and picked up 220 wickets in his ODI career.
#5 Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin is another stalwart who started his ODI career with a defeat against Sri Lanka in Harare in 2010. The Indian team batted first in this game and put up a strong total of 268, with Virat Kohli (68) emerging as the top-scorer. Interestingly, Ashwin also did well to contribute 38 off 32. Thilan Thushara was the wrecker-in-chief for Sri Lanka with three scalps.
Thereafter, Dinesh Chandimal (111) produced an imperious knock to lead Sri Lanka to a six-wicket victory. Ashwin was the finest bowler for India with figures of 2/50.
So far, Ashwin has made 116 ODI appearances and scalped 156 wickets and garnered over 707 runs.