Famous Indian Batsmen who scored a century in their Debut Test Innings

A Test cap is a cherished moment for any cricketer, as it is the reward of his sheer determination and consistent outings at the domestic circuit. Even with the limited overs cricket gaining impetus due to its extravagance and riveting encounters, Test cricket remains the most elegant form of the game. A benchmark to evaluate the endurance and athleticism of the player, every cricketer longs to start their career on a positive note. A Test century is always special for a batsman, and the achievement becomes even more worthy if it comes in the debut match.

Prithvi Shaw, the latest debutant in the longest format has become a nationwide sensation with his heroics in his debut game. Similarly, there were other Indian batsmen who created a stir in the cricketing fraternity, exhibiting their temperament and exuberance in their first encounter in whites.

Let's have a look at some famous Indian batsmen who notched a hundred in their debut innings.

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#6 Mohammad Azharuddin

With the series evenly poised 1-1 against visitors England, Mohammad Azharuddin made his debut for India at the Eden Gardens, coming in place of Sandeep Patil. Winning the toss, Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar asked his batsmen to bat first. India were off to a poor start, with the top four being dismissed for 127. Coming in to bat at a precarious situation on debut, the Hyderabad player steered his team out of troubled waters, combining with Ravi Shastri for a 214-run partnership.

Azharuddin's knock of 110 placed India at a formidable 437/7 d, but unfortunately his team could not end on the winning side courtesy poor weather conditions. Azhar stamped his authority in the remaining two games as well, as he amassed two sensational hundreds in the fourth and the fifth Tests.

#5 Sourav Ganguly

The Prince of Kolkata made his Test debut in the English summer of 1996 at Lord's, a game that is fondly remembered for the golden debut of two future legends of Indian cricket (Ganguly and Dravid.)

Bowling England out for 344 after winning the toss, the Indian innings did not start smoothly, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Debutant Ganguly was rock solid on one end in the midst of crisis. He ensured that he registered his name on the prestigious Lord's Honours Board in his first game itself, as he scored a fluent hundred against the English.

The southpaw combined with fellow debutant Rahul Dravid for a brief 94-run stand en route his 131. His hundred help India to get a first innings lead of 85 runs. The match ended in a draw, with the English batsmen fighting well to avoid defeat.

#4 Virender Sehwag

Having created a buzz in the ODI circuit with his nonchalant approach, the Nawab of Najafgarh made his debut in red ball cricket against South Africa at Bloemfontein in 2001. Put in to bat first, India lost their pillars Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman at the score of 68. It was then that Sehwag walked out to bat alongside his idol Sachin Tendulkar, on a fast South African track.

Sehwag played counterattacking cricket, scoring boundaries at will. He batted confidently with Tendulkar on course of a crucial 220-run stand for the fifth wicket. Sehwag registered his maiden ton in 157 balls, a brisk innings by the standards of Test cricket. He was dismissed at the score of 105

Sehwag's beautiful start to Test cricket could not be translated into a win, as the Proteas piled a mammoth 563 and bowled out the Indians cheaply consequently.

#3 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina was handed his debut cap in the second Test match at Colombo on India's tour of Sri Lanka, 2010. Batting first, Sri Lanka declared their innings for a mammoth 642/4. India kick-started their innings in a blistering fashion, powered by a blitz 99 by Virender Sehwag.

The middle order failed to capitalise on the start, with wickets falling in quick succession. It was then that the stylish southpaw walked in to bat at 6, with maestro Sachin Tendulkar alongside him. Raina batted patiently with Tendulkar, and stitched a crucial 5th wicket partnership of 256 runs. He made a vital contribution of 120 runs to the Indian cause, as the visitors upstaged Sri Lanka's total by a valiant 707.

With both the teams putting up such huge totals, a result could not eked out as the game ended in a draw.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan

The third Test of the four-match Border-Gavaskar trophy between India and Australia was being played at Mohali. The first day of the game was washed out due to rain. Australia posted a total of 402 at lunch on Day 3, having a strong hold on the proceedings of the game.

Being 0-2 down, it seemed that the Kangaroos would get their first win of the series. However, Shikhar Dhawan had other ideas. The talented southpaw feasted on the Australian bowling attack, with his pristine cover drives being a watchful sight. He launched an all-out attack on the opposition.

'Gabbar' brought up his hundred in 85 balls, scoring the fastest century on debut. He continued his onslaught throughout the third day, and he was dismissed in the early proceedings of Day 4.

Dhawan's heroics enabled India to take an unassailable lead in the series, going 3-0 up with a game left. He bagged the Man of the Match honours for his crucial 187.

#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma made his debut at his seemingly favourite venue Eden Gardens, in the series in which maestro Sachin Tendulkar was to retire.

West Indies elected to bat first having won the toss, however, they were easily bowled out for 234 by the Indian pacers. It seemed that India would cruise through the proceedings of the game, but their progress was checked by the Caribbean bowlers, with half the side in the pavilion at 85 runs. India lost skipper MS Dhoni soon after, and it was debutant Rohit with Ashwin who had the responsibility of steering the team out of the crisis.

Rohit took the task in his own hands, as he notched a 280-run stand for the seventh wicket. He amassed a giant 177, with 98 of those runs coming in boundaries. Rohit enabled India to race to a lead of 219 runs, as India won the games by an innings.

Rohit Sharma was awarded the Man of the Match award for his defiant knock of 177, which remains his highest Test score till date.