India-Australia Test matches have attracted as much if not more attention than the Ashes itself. in recent years. The two giants of the cricketing world have given us unforgettable games this century, and we are set for yet another mouth-watering series to come this month.
Although such high-profile encounters usually do not always warrant the introduction of a new name, India-Australia series' have been an exception. Both teams have not held anything back and have unleashed debutants against each other quite often.
Australian greats like Steve Waugh and Bruce Reid made their debuts against India in Tests. They went on to become legends in their own right later on in their Test career. Here, we take a glance at five prominent Indian players who made their debuts against the Aussies.
#5 Harbhajan Singh - Bangalore, March 1998
The "Turbanator", as he is fondly called made his Test debut against his favourite opposition, Australia in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy in Bangalore in 1998. Interestingly, the current Australian coach, Darren Lehmann also made his Test debut in the same match.
Harbhajan joined Anil Kumble and Venkatapathy Raju as the third spinner in the side. The then young off-spinner dismissed Greg Blewett and Darren Lehmann in the first innings to finish with figures of 2/112 while Kumble grabbed a six-for.
The lanky lad from Punjab bowled four wicketless overs in the second innings as Australia easily chased down a target of 194. However, the off-spinner would go on to have some great games against Australia the next time they toured India.
#4 Gautam Gambhir - Mumbai, November 2004
Delhi's left-handed opener Gautam Gambhir was elevated to open the batting for India in Tests with his Delhi partner, Virender Sehwag, in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar series of 2004.
Opening the batting, Gambhir was trapped in front by Gillespie for 3 in the first innings as India crumbled to 104. The Delhi opener could not make up for his failure in the second innings though as he edged Glenn McGrath to Michael Clarke as he walked back for just 1.
India defended 107 in the fourth innings to win a controversial Test match. Gambhir would go on to represent India in 58 Tests, scoring 4154 runs at an average above 40. His highest Test score of 206 also came against Australia in Delhi four years later.
#3 Cheteshwar Pujara - Bangalore, October 2010
India were looking for an able replacement for Rahul Dravid when they stumbled upon the stoic Saurashtra batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara. He was handed a debut in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Bangalore in 2010.
Pujara walked in at number five, after Sachin Tendulkar, in the absence of VVS Laxman. However, he failed to remain at the crease for much long as he was caught leg before wicket to a fiery Mitchell Johnson in the first innings of his career for four, even as Tendulkar made a double hundred.
He was given a chance at number three in the second innings and grabbed the opportunity with both hands, making 72 off just 89 balls while India chased 207 for victory. Pujara was dismissed before India scaled the target but showed had already shown a glimpse of what he could do.
#2 Shikhar Dhawan - Mohali, March 2013
The flamboyant Delhi opener, Shikhar Dhawan made his Test debut for India in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy in 2013. After Australia posted 408 on the board, debutant Dhawan and Murali Vijay were all over the Aussies.
He had replaced Virender Sehwag and seemed to be on a mission as he plundered the Aussie bowlers to all corners of the Mohali ground. He reached his hundred off a mere 85 balls, smacking Aussie spinner Xavier Doherty for 18 in one over.
India ended the day's play at 283/0 courtesy of one of the best Test knocks by a debutant. He was eventually dismissed for 187 off 174 balls while Vijay made 153. Dhawan did not bat in the second innings due to an injury as India chased down a target of 133 with much ease. The southpaw would go on to play 23 Tests for India and still remains part of India's plans in the limited over formats.
#1 Ajinkya Rahane - Delhi, March 2013
Shikhar Dhawan had made an illustrious debut in the previous Test in Mohali but an injury forced him to sit out the next Test at his home ground. It opened the doors for a young Mumbai batsman, Ajinkya Rahane to win his own Test cap.
Rahane walked in at no. five, below Sachin Tendulkar and was dismissed for 7 by off-spinner, Nathan Lyon even as India took a ten run lead in the first innings. After Jadeja ran riot through the Australian line-up, India were set 155 to win the Test.
However, Rahane yet again failed to make an impression as he fell for 1 trying to slog sweep Glenn Maxwell. India would go on to win the Test and in time, Rahane would become one of the mainstays of India's Test batting line-up, notching up hundreds in Australia, New Zealand, West Indies and England.
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