Starting big: Indian openers scoring century on Test debut
A debut game is always special for a cricketer as it makes one realise their dream of representing their nation in international cricket. Most players are nervous about their first Test, however, some are unfazed by the challenges and the enormity of the occasion and start their career with a bang. There have been a total of 17 debut centurions in Indian cricket history but only three of them have been openers. On that note, let’s take a look at the only three openers to score a hundred on Test debut:
1. Shikhar Dhawan 187 (174) vs Australia, 14 March 2013, Mohali
In the third Test of the four-match series, Dhawan was brought in the place of Virender Sehwag. The southpaw had big shoes to fill in his very first game and he was up to the challenge as he raced to his hundred off just 85 balls and registered the fastest hundred on debut. He went on to score 187 off 174 balls, smashing 33 fours and two sixes in his innings which is also the highest score by an Indian batter on Test debut. India went on to win the match by six wickets and Dhawan was deservedly awarded Player of the Match.
2. Prithvi Shaw 134 (154) vs West Indies, 4 October 2018, Rajkot
Shaw made his debut at the age of 19 during the first Test vs West Indies in Rajkot. The batting prodigy announced his arrival in style with a spectacular innings of 134 (154), smashing 19 fours in his innings. As a result, Shaw became the 15th Indian to achieve the milestone on his debut and second Indian opener. He was even awarded Player of the Match as India won the match by an innings and 272 runs.
3. Yashasvi Jaiswal 171 (387) vs West Indies, 12 July 2023, Dominica
Yashasvi Jaiswal is the latest addition to the list as he recently entered record books with a century against West Indies on Day 2 of the first Test in Dominica. The southpaw scored 171 (387), smashing 16 fours and a six in his innings and became the 17th Indian and third Indian opener to score a hundred on debut.
