Top ten debut knocks in Test matches

It’s an indescribable feeling when you are given a Test cap for the first time in your life – all the years spent in preparation for this moment have finally borne fruit. You feel incredible and, at the same time, are determined to do extremely well in order to make it memorable.

How do you make it a happy memory? By scoring a century in your first international innings or by taking a ten-wicket haul in your first full Test match – more so if these performances decide the outcome of the game. After all, everyone wants a powerful start to their careers, right?

Ten of the world’s talented cricketers have done just that. Here is a list of all their exploits on Test debut:

10. Shikhar Dhawan (India – 187 v/s Australia, Mohali, March 2013)

The powerfully-built, mustache-twirling left-hander from Delhi shattered several records on the way to a magnificent century against Australia in March this year.

Playing at the PCA Stadium in Mohali, Dhawan smashed the Australian bowlers all over the park as he went past Gundappa Viswanath’s 137 to post the highest individual score by an Indian debutant. He also scored his century in just 85 deliveries, breaking Dwayne Smith’s 93-ball effort against South Africa in 2004.

Dhawan’s 174-ball innings laid the platform for a six-wicket win by the Indian team, who went on to drub the hapless Aussies 4-0 and clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in style.