Most of the players have a dream of representing their country in the toughest format which is Test cricket. Test cricket is a format that will test a player in all the aspects like mental strength, patience, stamina, endurance, and of course the skill level. Every player wants to wear the whites and the Indian cap. It is a moment that many players dream of but everybody doesn’t get the opportunity.
There are a few players who have got the opportunity and have done well in their first Test as well. Nine Indian bowlers have managed to take a five-wicket haul on their Test debut which is a huge achievement because it is never easy to make a huge impact in the first Test. Most of the players are nervous as they don’t know what to expect. It can be difficult to control your emotions and concentrate on what you do best. On that note, let’s have a look at the nine bowlers who managed to pick up a five-wicket haul in their Test debut.
9. Mohammad Nissar – 5/93 vs England in 1932
Mohammad Nissar who was a fast bowler made his Test debut way back in 1932 against the England team. Nissar who was considered the fastest Indian bowler before Independence picked up five wickets for 93 runs in the first innings in his debut Test match. India lost the Test but Nissar became the first Indian to pick up a five-wicket haul on his debut.
8. Vaman Kumar – 5/64 vs Pakistan in 1961
Vaman Kumar who was a right-arm leg-spinner made his Test debut in 1961 against Pakistan. He picked up five wickets for just 64 runs in the first innings which helped India bowl out Pakistan for 286. He picked up two more wickets in the second innings as the match ended in a draw. Kumar played only two Test matches for India.
7. Syed Abid Ali – 6/55 vs Australia in 1967
Syed Abid Ali who was a seam-bowling all-rounder made his Test debut at the Adelaide Oval in Australia in 1967. He picked up six wickets for 55 runs in the first innings as Australia got bowled out 335. India lost the match but Abid Ali picked up seven wickets in his debut Test match against Australia.
6. Dilip Doshi – 6/103 vs Australia in 1979
Dilip Doshi who was a left-arm spinner from Gujarat made his Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai against Australia. Doshi picked up six wickets for 103 runs in the first innings. He picked up another two in the second innings but the match ended in a draw. Doshi played 33 Tests for India in his international career.
5. Narendra Hirwani – 8/61 & 8/75 vs West Indies in 1988
Narendra Hirwani who was a leg-spinner had the best debut any player can have for his national team. Hirwani picked up eight wickets in each innings as he picked up a total of 16 wickets in the match. West Indies was bowled out for 184 and 160 in both innings only because of the debutant Hirwani. No other bowler has picked up more than 16 wickets on his debut.
4. Amit Mishra – 5/71 vs Australia in 2008
Amit Mishra made his Test debut against Australia in Mohali in 2008. Mishra picked up five wickets in the first innings for 71 runs and picked up two more wickets in the second innings to help India with the Test by 320 runs. Mishra has played 22 Tests for India so far in his career.
3. R Ashwin – 6/47 vs West Indies in 2011
R Ashwin who is just six wickets short of 400 Test wickets made his Test debut in 2011 against West Indies. Ashwin picked up three wickets in the first innings but it was the second innings where he turned the game for India.
He picked up six wickets for just 47 runs and bowled out West Indies for 180. India chased down the total in the fourth innings and won the game.
2. Mohammad Shami – 5/47 vs West Indies in 2013
Mohammad Shami who has played 50 Tests for India made his Test debut in 2013 against West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Shami picked up four wickets in the first innings and five in the second as he finished the match with nine wickets. Shami’s five-wicket haul in the second innings helped India win the Test by an innings and 51 runs.
1. Axar Patel – 5/60 vs England in 2021
Axar Patel is the latest entrant in this list as he took a five-wicket haul on his debut against England in the second Test at Chennai. Patel picked up two wickets in the first innings including that of the England captain Joe Root who was in tremendous form.
In the second innings, he bettered his performance as he picked up five wickets for 60 runs which helped India win the match by 317 runs.
