5 Players who won the Man of the match on Test debut against India
For a cricketer playing his first international game, the aim is to earn the praise of his teammates and the respect of the opposition for his skills. A debut is the most memorable when the player is officially recognized for his efforts.
In the history of Test cricket, 42 players have received the Man-of-the-Match award in their first Test. Kepler Wessels was the first player to achieve this rare achievement way back in 1982.
India has the reputation of struggling against the players who are in the starting phase of their international career. Players like Steve Smith, Ajanta Mendis, Mustafizur Rahman etc. have shone brightly against the Indian cricket team.
Let us look at the players who won the man of the match award in their debut Test against India.
Stephen Fleming (New Zealand, 1994)
Former New Zealand skipper, Stephen Fleming made his Test debut against India in the only Test of India's tour of New Zealand 1993-94. Nine days prior to his 21st birthday, he became the 188th player to represent the Kiwis in Test cricket.
Marred by rain and bad light, the lone positive of the drawn test match for the Kiwis was the memorable debut of Fleming. The left-handed batsman scored 108 runs in the match and took the hosts to safety.
On a difficult fourth-day pitch showing uneven pace and bounce, Fleming struck 12 fours and frustrated the visitors for almost three hours, en route his impressive knock of 92.