5 bowlers who took the most wickets on ODI debut

Having put in the hard yards in the domestic circuit, there's always an enormous amount of pressure as well as expectation facing any promising bowler debuting at the international arena. In ODIs, the duress is manifold for the new entrant as he inevitably struggles to cope with the vagaries of the format. However, there have been quite a few bowlers who managed to captivate everyone's attention with scintillating performances in their respective maiden appearances.

Let us take a look at some of the leading bowlers who have picked up the most number of wickets on ODI debut. Interestingly, all five bowlers in this propitious list are fast bowlers. Considering the fact that there have been as many as eleven bowlers with exactly five wickets each in their respective first ODIs, economy-rates have been used to filter the list to the best quintet.

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#5 Austin Codrington - 5/27 (2003)

Codrington's stunning spell helped Canada shock Bangladesh in the 2003 World Cup

Returning to the World Cup after 24 years, not a lot was expected of Canada in the 2003 edition of the flagship tournament held in Africa. They began their campaign against Bangladesh at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. On a seam-friendly surface, they could only muster 180 before being bowled out in the last over of the innings. Even though their identity in the top tier was yet to take shape, the rising Asian team contained a decent batting lineup capable of chasing down the paltry target.

However, what followed was scarcely believable as one of the team's eleven debutants produced a game-changing spell to spearhead Canada's shock victory. After removing Hannan Sarkar and Alok Kapali, seamer Austin Codrington cleaned up the lower-order to finish the match with figures of 5/27.

Bangladesh were shot out for just 120. As for Codrington, further opportunities remained scarce. Due to Canada's sporadic fixtures at the big stage, the Jamaica-born cricketer played only eight more ODIs.

#4 Shaul Karnain - 5/26 (1984)

Shaul Uvais Karnain was one of many cricketers who could not enter the limelight in Sri Lanka's early years at the highest level. The all-rounder featured in 19 ODIs for the island nation between 1984 and 1990. While he faded into obscurity later in his career, the medium pacer had an unforgettable time in his maiden international appearance.

On a tricky surface, Sri Lanka were reduced to 81/6 by a potent New Zealand pace attack in Moratuwa. With a handy 24-ball 28, Karnain assisted Arjuna Ranatunga to take the hosts to a fighting total. Defending just 157, he derailed the visitors' chase by razing their middle-order. The right-armer's five wickets contained the vital scalps of Martin Crowe and opposition captain Geoff Howarth. Eventually, the Blackcaps were bundled out for just 116.

#3 Tony Dodemaide - 5/21 (1988)

Dodemaide's spell propelled Australia to a comfortable victory against Sri Lanka at Perth

Even though his international journey was kept to just 34 appearances across both Tests and ODIs, Tony Dodemaide had a sense for the big occasion. The all-rounder produced impressive performances on his respective debut matches in both formats. After scoring a fifty as well as picking up a six-for in his maiden Test match, he was at it again in his inaugural ODI.

In the opening game of the 1988 Benson & Hedges World Series Cup, Dodemaide showcased his skills with the white ball. On a rapid WACA track, Australia had amassed 249 against a modest Sri Lankan bowling attack.

Dodemaide struck at the heart of the visitors' batting lineup to dent their hopes of chasing the target. Comprising the key scalps of Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva, the fast bowler's five-wicket haul led the Aussies to a comprehensive 81-run triumph.

#2 Fidel Edwards - 6/22 (2003)

Fidel Edwards scythed through Zimbabwe's lineup in a rain-curtailed encounter

When he burst onto the scene in 2003, Fidel Edwards invoked hopes of carrying on the incredible pace legacy of West Indies. Capable of clocking high speeds on a regular basis, the fast bowler could be a handful on conducive pitches.

However, an acute lack of variety in his arsenal prevented him from enjoying an extensive career at international level. While he did pick up 241 wickets across all three formats of the game, the still-active Bajan has not been able to live up to the unbridled promise that he evoked in his early days.

During his ODI debut, Edwards made a strong statement by bowling with hostile pace. In the fourth game of the 2003 bilateral series against Zimbabwe, he sent tremors in the home team's camp by wreaking havoc at the Harare Sports Club. The bustling pacer's 6/22 propelled West Indies to a clinical 72-run victory in the rain-hit contest.

#1 Kagiso Rabada - 6/16 (2015)

Rabada has gone from strength to strength since his spectacular debut

Kagiso Rabada was earmarked for greatness right from his formative years. After playing a crucial role in South Africa's victorious campaign in the 2014 U-19 World Cup, he was fast-tracked into the senior team on the back of some eye-catching performances for Highveld Lions in the Sunfoil Series.

Having made his T20I debut during the preceding year, Rabada got the opportunity to play his maiden ODI in the 2015 bilateral series in Bangladesh. Despite operating on a sluggish surface, he wrecked the top-order with a splendid hat-trick. The hosts could never quite recover from the early assault from the debutant pacer.

Extra Cover: Kagiso Rabada - a nation's hope

Rabada returned in the middle-overs to polish off the innings and consequently finished with the best figures on ODI debut. The right-armer's 6/16 from eight overs blew away Bangladesh for 160. South Africa chased the meager target with eight wickets to spare. Even though the Proteas would go on to lose the series 1-2, Rabada's unprecedented emergence was a major shot in the arm.