5 best debut performances by Indian bowlers in T20Is

India may have made a flying start in the T20 format when they won the inaugural edition of the World Twenty20, but post that their performance in T20 cricket has been quite a mixed bag. However, there have been a number of spectacular displays of individual brilliance by Indian players, both with bat and ball.The bowlers, in particular, have produced some memorable spells in India’s 9-year T20 history. Some of these performances have come from Indian bowlers who were making their debut in a particular match.Let’s take a look at the 5 best debut performances by Indian bowlers in T20Is:

#5 Ajit Agarkar - 2 for 10 vs South Africa

Agarkar contributed well to India’s first ever T20I victory

It was a match which introduced not only Ajit Agarkar but the Indian team to the newest format of the game. Agarkar turned out to be the most impressive bowler on his T20I debut for India as he returned figures of 2 for 10.

South Africa batted first after winning the toss and could manage only 126 runs in their 20 overs. Ajit Agarkar was the pick of the bowlers for India as he removed the dangerous Herschelle Gibbs and a young AB de Villiers for single digit scores. The Indians did not have much problems batting and cruised to victory by 6 wickets.

The match came during the fag end of Agarkar’s career and he played just 3 more T20Is after that.

#4 Jasprit Bumrah - 3 for 23 vs Australia

Bumrah has been a ray of hope for India on their current tour to Australia

A young Indian fast bowler is busy turning the tide in his team’s favour on their ongoing tour to Australia and his name is Jasprit Bumrah. After contributing to India’s first ODI victory of the tour on his 50-over debut, Bumrah did the star turn in the bowling department once again in the first T20I against the hosts.

The 22-year old speedster registered a terrific debut performance of 3 for 23 which led India to a much needed 37-run victory. The Australians got off to a spectacular start chasing the target of 189 set by India, but were pegged back when Jasprit Bumrah claimed the wicket of David Warner.

The spinners did the job in the middle overs and Bumrah returned towards the end of the innings to wipe out the tail helping India complete a famous victory over the Aussies.

#3 Axar Patel - 3 for 17 vs Zimbabwe

Patel helped India cruise to victory on his debut

Axar Patel made his T20I debut in India’s none too popular tour of Zimbabwe last year. However, the young left-arm spinner made whatever opportunity he got count for a lot as he picked up 3 for 17 in his very first T20I.

After putting a sizeable score of 178 on the board, India were clear favourites to win the match. Zimbabwe got off to a steady start but lost their way completely when the spinners, Axar Patel and Harbhajan Singh, came into the attack.

Axar picked up the key wickets of Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura and Sikandar Raza and helped India reduce their opponents to 6 for 90, a situation from which they never recovered. Team India won by 54 runs and the young bowler got the Player of the Match award for his heroics.

#2 Bhuvaneshwar Kumar - 3 for 9 vs Pakistan

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar had an exciting T20I debut against Pakistan

Perhaps one of the most sparkling debuts by an Indian bowler in T20I cricket was the one made by medium pacer Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. Although it was an effort which came in a losing cause, it was a terrific performance nonetheless.

India had managed to muster just 133 on the board, thanks primarily to a 77-run opening partnership between Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane. However, India got the most perfect of starts when they came out to bowl as Bhuvaneshwar picked up 3 wickets in his first 2 overs to leave Pakistan reeling at 3 for 12.

It was a brilliant exhibition of swing bowling as Bhuvi, as he is fondly known, moved the ball both ways in a breathtaking spell of 3 for 9. Sadly though, old guards Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik helped Pakistan to a 5-wicket victory with a 106-run partnership.

#1 Pragyan Ojha - 4 for 21 vs Bangladesh

Ojha picked up 4 wickets on T20 debut

The 2009 ICC World Twenty20 may not have been a memorable one for India; however, one did witness a great performance by an Indian bowler on debut. Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha recorded figures of 4 for 21 in a group match against Bangladesh and helped India win by 25 runs.

Ojha broke the backbone of the Bangladeshi batting line-up by dismissing Shakib Al Hasan, Junaid Siddique, Mahmudullah and Mashrafe Mortaza in quick succession. With this effort, the spinner also achieved the distinction of receiving the Player of the Match award in his very first T20I.

Unfortunately for Pragyan Ojha though, he played only 5 more matches in the format before being dropped in 2010. However, his spell remains the best ever by an Indian bowler on T20I debut.