5 Indian legends who did not have a memorable Test debut

Over the years, Indian cricket has been blessed with a number of players who have gone on to become cricketing legends. These players have achieved dizzying heights and are role models in every aspect for aspiring cricketers.

However, not everyone would have predicted their rise and their achievements after their debut matches. Surprisingly, the debut match of these players was by all means undermining and considering their feats later one, this match was only an aberration.

We take a look at 5 such Indian legends who had abysmal starts to their careers.

Chandu Borde

Borde was one of India's leading all-rounders in the 1960s, with a very tight technique and more than handy leg-spin.

His debut, however, was not promising at all, as he managed only 7 runs in the first innings, and did not get to bat in the second against the West Indies at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. With the ball too, he was not able to pick up any wickets in the two innings.

The match ended in a draw.

Mohinder Amarnath

One of the more enigmatic characters of Indian cricket, Mohinder Amarnath, also known as Jimmy played for almost 2 decades. However, he always had a stop-start career but when his career ended, he had established himself as one of the leading lights of Indian cricket.

As an all-rounder, Amarnath was like a talisman for India, but his debut match against Australia in Chennai did not go close to plan.

He scored 16 and 0 in the two innings respectively. With the ball, he picked up only 2 wickets even as he opened the bowling. India too went on to lose the match by 77 runs.

Later on in his career, Amarnath was regarded as the finest Indian batsman against fast bowling.

Dilip Vengsarkar

Vengsarkar was one of the stalwarts of Indian batting along with Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Vishwanath during the late 1970 and through the 1980s.

He played 116 Test Matches for India and had a decorated International career. However, success was not immediate at the International career.

On his debut against New Zealand in Auckland, Vengsarkar only managed 7 and 6 runs in two innings. However, India went on to win the match by 8 wickets.

Harbhajan Singh

The off-spinner was in top form in the domestic circuit when he was handed over his India cap. He made his debut against Australia in Bangalore.

Bhajji who went on to torment Australia, later on, picked only 2 wickets on his first outing.

However, later he picked up a hat-trick against the same opposition in 2001, but his debut was nowhere close to what Harbhajan Singh is made of, more so against the Australians.

Sachin Tendulkar

The Indian batting maestro is without a doubt the greatest batsman to have graced the cricketing field.

But, then the start to his career was nothing to write home about. The 16-year-old made his debut against Pakistan in Karachi on November 15, 1989.

The young turk came with great raps and walked in to bat at number 6. However, he did not look at home straight away and was knocked over by Waqar Younis for only 15.

He did not get to bat in the second innings. However, he did make amends later on. The rest as they is history.