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

Indian cricket had a mixed year in the limited-overs formats in 2021. The Men in Blue played 16 T20Is this year, winning 10 and losing six. Three of those wins came under new T20I captain Rohit Sharma, who oversaw the 3-0 thrashing of New Zealand at home.

While India had an impressive win percentage of 62.5 overall, two of the losses came against Pakistan and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup. The twin defeats by massive margins played a major role in India failing to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC event.

In the year that the T20 World Cup was held, India did not pay a lot of attention to ODI cricket. The Men in Blue only featured in six one-day matches in 2021, winning four and losing two.

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Indian cricketers who made an impact on limited-overs debut in 2021

While a few Indian cricketers made a memorable debut in the ODI format in 2021, some impressed in their maiden T20I encounter. Here’s a recap.

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#4 Harshal Patel - 2/25 vs New Zealand (2nd T20I, Ranchi)

Harshal Patel (right) celebrates the wicket of Glenn Phillips. Pic: Getty Images

Harshal Patel had a record-equalling Indian Premier League (IPL) season, claiming 32 wickets in 15 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Following his stupendous IPL 2021 performance, Harshal was drafted into the Indian squad for the T20I series against New Zealand.

The 31-year-old made a memorable India debut, claiming 2 for 25 in four overs in the second T20I of the three-match series against New Zealand in Ranchi on November 19. His first international wicket came via a well-disguised short ball as Daryl Mitchell (31) mishit one to long-on. Harshal also sent back Glenn Phillips (34) with an off-cutter, having him caught at deep square leg.

India restricted the Kiwis to 153 for 6 bowling first and won the match by seven wickets. Harshal was named player of the match on T20I debut for his impressive bowling effort.

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#3 Prasidh Krishna - 4/54 vs England (1st ODI, Pune)

Prasidh Krishna celebrates dismissing Ben Stokes. Pic: Getty Images

Pacer Prasidh Krishna made a record-breaking one-day debut in the first ODI of the three-match series against England on March 23 in Pune. Krishna became the first Indian bowler to claim four wickets on his ODI debut. He finished with figures of 4 for 54 as India registered a comprehensive 66-run triumph.

Batting first, India posted 317 for 5, guided by Shikhar Dhawan’s 98. Krishna then made his presence felt by claiming key English scalps. He had taken some punishment at the start of the innings, conceding 22 in his third over, as the England openers featured in a century-opening stand.

Krishna hit back by having Jason Roy caught at point for 46. The debutant made it two in the over, sending back Ben Stokes (1), who gave an easy catch to extra-cover. Sam Billings (18) scooped a back of a length delivery to short cover to become Krishna’s third victim.

The debutant raised victory for India by having Tom Curran (11) caught at deep third man off a full delivery. From 135 for no loss, England crumbled to 251 as Krishna made a strong comeback after a poor start.

#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.