4 Indian cricketers who made an impressive debut in the limited-overs formats in 2021

#2 Krunal Pandya - 58* off 31 vs England (1st ODI, Pune)

Krunal Pandya during the ODI series against England. Pic: Getty Images

Baroda all-rounder Krunal Pandya made his T20I debut for India in 2018. However, he had to wait until 2021 to make his ODI debut (in the same match as Krishna’s). But it was worth the wait as the left-handed batter made a smashing entry. Coming into bat at no.7, Krunal walloped an unbeaten 58 off only 31 balls, clobbering seven fours and two sixes.

Krunal raced to his half-century off just 26 balls, the fastest ever by a debutant in ODIs. He also became the 15th Indian batter to score a fifty on his ODI debut. The left-hander featured in an unbroken 112-run stand for the sixth wicket with KL Rahul (62* off 43 balls) as India posted an impressive 317 on the board.

It was an emotion-filled innings for Krunal as he lost his father at the start of the year. The batter paid tribute to his late father by raising his bat towards the sky upon reaching his fifty. Choked with emotion, he could not complete his interview with the host broadcaster after his record-breaking innings. In a poignant moment, Krunal received a warm hug from younger brother Hardik.

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#1 Ishan Kishan - 56 off 32 vs England (2nd T20I, Ahmedabad) & 59 off 42 vs Sri Lanka (1st ODI, Colombo)

Ishan Kishan plays a shot during his T20I debut. Pic: Getty Images

Young Jharkhand batter Ishan Kishan couldn’t have asked for a better international debut. He scored half-centuries in his first T20I as well as his first ODI. Kishan’s T20I debut came against England in Ahmedabad on March 14. India were set a competitive target of 165 and lost KL Rahul for a duck, but Kishan (56 off 32) and Virat Kohli (73* off 49) took India home with ease.

Kishan matched Kohli’s stroke play in a blazing second-wicket partnership of 94. The southpaw slammed five fours and four sixes, looking in no trouble against the likes of Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan, Sam Curran and Adil Rashid. India crossed the finish line with seven wickets and 13 balls to spare.

The 23-year-old made his ODI debut versus Sri Lanka in Colombo on July 18, 2021. India were set to chase a target of 263 in the contest. Prithvi Shaw (43 off 24) and Shikhar Dhawan (86* off 95) featured in an opening stand of 58 after which Ishan joined skipper Dhawan and continued the good work

The aggressive left-hander struck eight fours and two sixes in his 42-ball 59. Kishan was involved in a second-wicket partnership of 85 with Dhawan as India eased towards victory. The debutant was dismissed caught behind off Lakshan Sandakan, but played a significant part in what was to be a comprehensive seven-wicket triumph, with 80 balls in hand.