Top 5 highest scorers for India on ODI debut

#3 Brijesh Patel

Brijesh Patel

Brijesh Patel made an impressive 82 from only 78 balls in what was India’s very first ODI match, against England at Leeds on 13 July 1974.

England sent India in to bat first. The visitors lost Sunil Gavaskar, Sudhir Naik and Gundappa Viswanath with the score reading 60 for 3. Skipper Ajit Wadekar (67) and Farokh Engineer (32) set the stage for Patel’s counter-attacking innings.

Coming in at number six, Patel hit eight fours and a six to stun the English attack, which featured Geoff Arnold, Chris Old and Tony Greig. He was the ninth man out, at 265, and India were all out for the same score.

Unfortunately for India, Patel’s excellent innings went in vain as John Edrich’s 90 from 97 balls set the tone for the chase. Cameos from Keith Fletcher (39) and Tony Greig (40) saw England home by four wickets.