6 Indian players who took a wicket off their first balls in a particular format

Cricket is no less than a religion in India; it is a dream for every budding cricketer to get a chance to represent the Indian Cricket team. However, the struggle doesn't end there as these players need to put up an impressive show in the limited opportunities that they get at the international level.

In case of failures in a couple of matches, they are discarded and find it extremely difficult to make a comeback in the cutthroat competition for a place in the national side. If a player scores a hundred or takes wickets in his debut match in any format, it certainly helps him to cement a place in the Indian team. Especially for bowlers, to get a wicket on the very first ball in any format can help boost their confidence in a big way.

There are only a handful of Indian players who have taken a wicket off their first balls in a particular format.

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#6 Nilesh Kulkarni

Kulkarni appealing for a caught behind

Nilesh Kulkarni registered his name in the record books when he took the wicket of Marvan Atappatu on his first ball in Test cricket. He became the first Indian, and till date the only Indian, to achieve the feat.

Unfortunately, Kulkarni's dream debut soon turned into a nightmare as that wicket was the only wicket he was able to take in the entire match. Sri Lanka scored a record 952 runs in 274 overs, with Kulkarni bowling 70 of them. The spinner was called back into the Test side a couple of times where he played a couple of more Tests without much success and ended up taking just 2 wickets.

#5 Sadagoppan Ramesh

Ramesh averaged more than 50 with the bat in his first six Tests

Sadagoppan Ramesh is known for his elegant strokeplay and the class that almost every left-handed batsman seems to possess. The Tamil Nadu batsman made his international debut against Pakistan at Chennai in 1999.

Ramesh impressed everyone with his technique and scored a couple of centuries in the next few matches against a top quality Pakistan bowling attack. He averaged over 50 in his first 6 Test matches. On the virtue of his Test form, the southpaw broke into the one-day side too. He got into the record books, not for his batting but for his bowling.

In a rain-curtailed match against West Indies at Singapore, the Indian captain gave the ball to Ramesh and the part-time bowler responded brilliantly by providing a breakthrough. He dismissed Nixon McClean off the very first ball.

Ramesh became the first Indian to get a wicket off the first ball in ODIs. Unfortunately, India lost the match and his first scalp remained the only wicket in his international career.

#4 Pragyan Ojha

Ojha took 4 wickets in his debut T20I

Following a successful IPL season for Deccan Chargers, Pragyan Ojha made his international debut in 2008. Ojha had a solid start to his career and was mighty effective with his steady left-arm spin bowling, especially in Indian conditions.

After impressing in ODI cricket and Test cricket, Ojha was included in the Indian T20 side for the World T20 in 2009 that was held in England. His inclusion in the side was his reward for picking up 18 wickets in IPL 2009 and playing a huge role in Deccan Chargers' maiden title win.

Ojha did not disappoint during his T20I debut as he picked up Shakib Al Hasan on his very first ball. The left-arm spinner continued his good work picking up 4 for 21 in 4 overs and India defeated Bangladesh by 25 runs. Ojha was named the man-of-the-match for his terrific bowling performance.

#3 Ajit Agarkar

Agarkar during India's first ever T20I match

Ajit Agarkar was always considered to be a wicket-taking option in his playing career. The Mumbai bowler was often found guilty of giving away too many runs, but he also had the ability to pick up wickets at crucial junctures of the innings.

When T20 cricket came into existence, it was almost certain that Agarkar will be successful in the format. And thus, he was included in the playing XI in India's first ever T20 match in 2006. The match was played against South Africa at Johannesburg.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first. Agarkar was brought in the attack in the 6th over as the first change. Agarkar got into action straight away as he took the crucial wicket of Gibbs on the first ball of the over.

That over turned out to be a maiden. Agarkar struck a major blow in the next over dismissing the dangerous Ab de Villiers. However, Agarkar left the field midway through the next over because of a groin injury and took no further part in the match.

India eventually won the close encounter by 6 wickets with just 1 ball to spare.

#2 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar is elated after picking up his first ODI wicket

There was a time when Indian fast bowlers were considered to be the weak link of the team, but not anymore. And one of those fast bowlers who should be credited for this resurgence is Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Even though Bhuvneshwar was considered to be an out and out swing bowler during the early stages of his career, he has brought a lot of variations in his repertoire and has also enhanced his reputation as a death bowler.

The right-arm seamer made his ODI debut against arch-rivals Pakistan way back in 2012. Batting first, India scored a below par 227 runs in the 50 overs. India needed some quick wickets early in the innings and Bhuvneshwar did exactly that.

On the very first ball of the innings, Bhuvneshwar uprooted Mohd Hafeez's stump and got his first ODI scalp. Even though India went on to lose the match, Bhuvneshwar Kumar impressed one and all with his swing and consistency.

#1 Virat Kohli

Kohli has occasionally rolled his arm over for a few overs

There is no doubt about Virat Kohli's Pedigree as a batsman. For the past few years, the talismanic Indian skipper has been one of the leading batsmen in the world across formats. Apart from his fluent batting, Kohli is also known for his on field antics.

The Indian skipper is always seen throwing himself around on the field and even doesn't mind rolling his arms for a few overs. And interestingly, apart from having numerous batting records to his name, Kohli has a bowling record that he will cherish for a long time.

In the one-off T20 match against England at Manchester in 2011, the then captain, MS Dhoni introduced Virat Kohli into the attack in the 8th over. And Kohli vindicated his captain's decision by getting the prized wicket of Kevin Pietersen off his very first ball.

Even though Kohli does not bowl often, he can be a useful part-time bowler.