Indian players to win Man of the Match award on Test Debut, ft. Rohit Sharma

In the illustrious history of Indian cricket, achieving a "Man of the Match" accolade on one's Test debut is a rare and commendable feat. This exclusive club comprises individuals who, from the very inception of their Test careers, exhibited exceptional skills and resilience on the international stage.

In this article, we delve into the remarkable journeys of eight Indian players who earned the coveted "Man of the Match" award in their debut Test matches. These players etched their names in the annals of Indian cricket with stellar performances that set the tone for their careers and left an indelible mark on the sport.

#8. Parvin Amre, 1992

During India's 1992 tour of South Africa, Pravin Amre made a stellar debut in the first Test at Durban. The middle-order batsman showcased his prowess by scoring a remarkable century, contributing to India's total of 277. Partnering with Kiran More, Amre's century played a pivotal role in securing a draw for the team. Notably, he became the first Indian to clinch the Player of the Match award in his debut Test.

#7. RP Singh, 2006

In a historic Test debut against Pakistan in Faisalabad, Indian pacer RP Singh showcased his prowess, earning the Man of the Match award. Despite a high-scoring match with six centuries, Singh's bowling stood out as he claimed four wickets in the first innings and one in the second. The game ended in a draw, but Singh's impactful debut left a lasting impression.

#6. Ravichandran Ashwin, 2011

Ravichandran Ashwin’s debut match was a testament to his cricketing prowess. Making his Test debut against South Africa in Durban in 1992, the talented batsman showcased resilience, contributing a crucial 103 runs in the second innings. Amre's impressive performance played a pivotal role in India's victory, setting the stage for a career marked by skilled batting and valuable contributions to the team's success.

#5. Shikhar Dhawan, 2013

In his Test debut against Australia in Mohali in 2013, Shikhar Dhawan left an indelible mark with a stellar performance. Partnering with Murali Vijay, Dhawan's explosive batting, including a record-breaking century in just 85 balls, set the stage for India's success. Scoring 187 runs, Dhawan's dynamic debut earned him the "Man of the Match" accolade as India secured victory by chasing down a target of 134 runs, showcasing the beginning of a remarkable Test career.

#4. Rohit Sharma, 2013

Rohit Sharma made his Test debut at Eden Gardens in 2013 against the West Indies, a significant match as it was one of Sachin Tendulkar's final tests. Batting at number six, the current Indian skipper showcased his prowess, scoring an impressive 177 runs. With R Ashwin's century, India secured victory by an innings and 51 runs, and Rohit Sharma earned the well-deserved "Man of the Match" title.

#3. Prithvi Shaw, 2018

Prithvi Shaw announced his arrival in Test cricket with a stunning debut, scoring 134 against the West Indies in Rajkot. His century, alongside Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja's contributions, propelled India to a dominant innings victory by 272 runs. Shaw's remarkable performance earned him the "Man of the Match" award, marking a memorable start to his Test career. Despite a hiatus from the Indian team since 2021, Shaw's impactful debut remains etched in cricket enthusiasts' memories.

#2. Shreyas Iyer, 2021

In a historic test debut against New Zealand in 2021 at Kanpur, Shreyas Iyer made cricket headlines by becoming the first Indian batsman to achieve both a century and a half-century in the same match. His stellar batting contributions earned him the well-deserved "Man of the Match" award, as India posted scores of 345 and 234/7 in the first and second innings, leaving an indelible mark in the cricketing record books.

#1. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2023

Yashasvi Jaiswal made a stellar Test debut, clinching the "Man of the Match" award with an outstanding performance. Scoring an impressive 171 runs, he played a pivotal role in India's commanding victory by an innings and 141 runs. Jaiswal's batting prowess, coupled with a dominant display by the Indian team, secured a triumphant start in the first Test at Dominica, setting a promising tone for his Test career.