Rating the top 5 Test debutants of 2016

With 2016 coming to an end, a lot of exciting cricketing action will be expected by all in 2017. This year witnessed a number of exciting matches, broken records, and breakthroughs. Players like Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and Quinton De Kock were in the form of their lives and a few players also saw their stock decline.

A number of young prospects entered the international arena this year and some of them showed a lot of potential through their brilliant performances with bat and ball. So without any further ado, here’s a rating of five of the best Test debutants this year.

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#5 Keaton Jennings, England - 7/10

Many people may not know this fact but Keaton Jennings is actually the son of former South African cricket team coach Ray Jennings which makes him another one of the many English cricketers to be born in South Africa. Jennings had a brilliant season with Durham, amassing over 1500 runs with the bat and was named County Cricketer of the Year.

As a result of his consistent county performances, the youngster was called up to the Test team for the final two Tests of the India Tour as a replacement for Haseeb Hameed who had injured himself during the third Test at Mohali.

He made his Test debut in the fourth Test at Mumbai and scored a brilliant knock of 112 off 219 deliveries in the first innings which made him the 19^th English cricketer, 8^th England opener, and 101^st cricketer to score a century on his Test debut. His 112 was also the highest score by any Test opener who made his debut against India, thus bettering Gordon Greenidge’s 107 at Bangalore in 1974. His knock comprised thirteen boundaries.

However, he was dismissed for a golden duck in the second innings as England went on to lose the Test match by an innings and 36 runs. He also played in the final Test of the series and was dismissed for only 1 before compensating for it with a calm 54 from 121 deliveries in the second innings. England went on to lose the match by an innings and 75 runs. Keaton Jennings has played only four innings thus far but he has proved on a few occasions that he can dig deep and grind it out and given the fact that Alastair Cook’s place in the Test team is in jeopardy, Jennings could be an ideal replacement once the skipper hangs his boots.

#4 Haseeb Hameed, England - 7/10

The 19-year old opener is definitely someone to look out for

This 19-year old year opener from Bolton has shown a lot of promise in the three Test matches that he has played. Having made his first-class debut for Lancashire in 2015, Hameed became the first Lancashire opener since Mike Atherton to play for England after he was selected in the squad that would tour India for a five-match Test series.

He made his Test debut during the first Test at Rajkot and made 31 in his first innings before scoring a brilliant and composed knock of 82 in the second innings.

In the second Test at Vishakhapatnam, he scored 13 in the first innings before scoring a riskless 25 off 144 deliveries in the second innings as England went on to lose the match by 246 runs. He also played the third Test at Mohali but injured his finger during the first innings. Nevertheless, he came in to bat at No. 8 the second time around and scored an unbeaten 59 off 156 deliveries as England went on to lose the match.

After the conclusion of the third Test, Hameed was ruled out of the remainder of the series and flew back home to undergo surgery on his broken finger.

The 19-year old Hameed has shown a lot of promise in the six innings that he has played and he has given a glimpse of his adaptability as well. However, the 19-year-old’s biggest weapon in his armoury is his defence which enables him to play longer innings. Provided Hameed maintains his form, he could well be one of the shining stars of the future.

#3 Colin De Grandhomme, New Zealand - 7.5/10

Colin de Grandhomme picked up a brilliant six-wicket haul in his Test debut

At 30, Colin de Grandhomme is the oldest player on this list as he had to wait till last November to make his debut in the longest format, having made his ODI debut in 2012 against South Africa. He made his Test debut against Pakistan at Christchurch and bowled a brilliant spell of 6/41 in the first innings as Pakistan were skittled for 133. With the bat, de Grandhomme made 29 from 37 deliveries in the first innings and he did not have to bat again as New Zealand comfortably won the match by eight wickets.

For his brilliant six-wicket spell in the first innings, de Grandhomme was adjudged the Man of the Match and became only the fourth New Zealander to be adjudged Man of the Match on debut.

In the second Test at Hamilton, de Grandhomme scored 37 with the bat and took a wicket in the first innings. In the second innings, he scored a quick 32 from 21 deliveries and took a wicket as the Kiwis beat Pakistan by 138 runs to take the match and the series 2-0.

The 30-year-old has the capability of becoming a wicket-taking bowler and he can also be a pretty useful middle-order batsman by scoring quick runs down the order. Provided he maintains his form, he could well cement his spot for the tours to come.

#2 Jayant Yadav, India - 8.5

Jayant Yadav was in good form both with bat and ball during his debut Test series

If there had to be a replacement for Amit Mishra in the Test team, it had to be this guy. Yadav has been in good touch these days, both with the bat as well as with the ball. After barely getting playing time during the New Zealand series, Yadav was selected in the squad to face England at home. After being omitted from the playing XI during the first Test at Rajkot, Yadav replaced Amit Mishra for the second Test at Vizag.

The Haryana cricketer scored 35 and 27* with the bat and took a total of four wickets throughout the match; one wicket in the first innings and three during the second innings as India won the match by 246 runs. During the third Test at Mohali, Yadav scored his maiden half-century in international cricket and took two wickets in both innings as India took a 2-0 lead in the series.

However, Yadav’s best moment of the series came during the fourth Test at the Wankhede when he scored his first century in international cricket, building a 241-run partnership for the 8^th wicket. Yadav took only one wicket throughout the match as India won the match by an innings and 36 runs. He was replaced by Mishra for the final Test at Chennai.

The 26-year-old has been in sensational form and has been proving his worth with both bat and ball. Besides having the ability of a specialist bowler, he can also provide additional batting that India might require if the middle-order batsmen fail to deliver.

#1 Karun Nair - 9

Nair made headlines with his brilliant triple century against England

The 25-year old has been making the headlines ever since his majestic 303 not out against England during the final Test against England at Chennai. After spending the first two Test matches in the pavilion, Nair made his debut for India in the third Test at Mohali as a replacement for Ajinkya Rahane who was ruled out of the final two games due to an injury.

Nair made only four in the first innings but did not bat in the second innings as India strolled to an eight-wicket victory. In the fourth Test, Nair had another disappointing performance as he scored only 13 runs. However, he would go on to end his poor form in the best possible manner.

During the final Test match at Chennai, KL Rahul was completely dominating the England bowlers when Nair joined him at the crease. The duo put up a partnership of 161 for the fourth wicket before Rahul was dismissed for 199.

Nair then began to assert his authority on the England bowlers. The youngster became only the second Indian batsman to score a triple century in Tests and the first Indian player who converted his maiden Test century into a triple century. He remained unbeaten on 303 from 381 deliveries which was the fourth fastest triple century in Test history. The 25-year-old was adjudged the Man of the Match for his heroics with the bat.

Nair’s triple century made him very popular with the media and he earned comparisons to former legends of the sport. Provided the right-hander maintains his form, he could well become one of India’s finest batsmen in the future.