Top 10 forgettable debuts in Test cricket

8. Vinay Kumar:

Making his Test debut against Australia in Perth after replacing Ashwin, Vinay Kumar was under huge pressure to perform in the must win game for India. But he was quite unlucky to come across David Warner in full flow. Vinay Kumar was clobbered all over the park as Warner destroyed all in his way to 180 off 159 balls. Vinay did pick up a wicket, that of Mike Hussey and finished with figures of 13-0-73-1, his only consolation being similar performances of his fellow pacers. He has not won another Test cap since then.

9. Nilesh Kulkarni:

Not much success was enjoyed by Nilesh (seen celebrating here with the keeper) in the international arena.

Kulkarni made his debut in 1997-98 against Sri Lanka. He picked up Atapattu’s wicket with the first ball he bowled. He then went on to bowl 69.5 more overs without getting another, as Sri Lanka amassed 952-6, the highest score in Test match history. He went on to play 2 more Test matches for India after a gap of 4 years and picked up just one more wicket. He was not picked to play for India again. He finished with a bowling average of 166 and strike rate of 369.

10. Bryce McGain:

Post Warne’s retirement in 2007, Australia was hunting for its next big spinner. Bryce McGain was one of the many trial bowlers. Making a debut at the age of 36 against South Africa in 2008, Bryce was taken to the cleaners. Ashwell Prince and Jacques Kallis ensured he never got into his rhythm. His bowling figures were a rather untidy 0/149 from 18 overs. Age not being on his side, Bryce McGain never got a chance to improve his test figures.