Indian players who made their ODI debuts together

CricWiz
Dhoni and Joginder Sharma have something in common other than the World T20 win
Dhoni and Joginder Sharma have something in common other than the World T20 win

India is a cricket crazy nation. It is one of the most followed sports in the country. Almost every kid in the country dreams of playing cricket for India, but only a few get the opportunity to represent India at the international level.

Selectors tend to breed young cricketers more in one-day cricket than Test cricket. Even though a lot of players make their ODI debuts every year, only a few have been able to play cricket for India for a considerable amount of time. Others have faded away from the cricketing scene rather swiftly.

Moreover, there have been some rare instances where 2-3 players have made their ODI debuts together. While there are famous players who excelled in their careers, there are also players whose careers went different ways after making debuts in the same match. Here are some players who made their debut together in the same game.


#6 KL Rahul, Yuzvendra Chahal and Karun Nair

Rahul and Nair opened for India in their debut match
Rahul and Nair opened for India in their debut match

Selectors have often used series against countries like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh as an opportunity to give chances to young players. In India's tour of Zimbabwe in 2016, the selectors had sent a second-string team which meant ODI debuts for the young players. In the very first match KL Rahul, Yuzvendra Chahal and Karun Nair were handed the ODI cap. India won the match comfortably by 9 wickets as KL Rahul struck a century in his ODI debut. Rahul was also named the player of the match. Chahal also impressed with his bowling giving away only 27 runs in 10 overs and picking up a wicket. Nair failed in the match, scoring only 7 runs.

After the series Nair couldn't do much in ODI cricket and was eventually dropped from the side. However, Chahal and Rahul have been performing well and have become integral members of the Indian ODI team.

#5 Javagal Srinath, Vinod Kambli

Kambli and Srinath during the 1996 World Cup
Kambli and Srinath during the 1996 World Cup

Two of the most talented cricketers of their generation, Javagal Srinath and Vinod Kambli made their debuts at Sharjah in 1991 against arch-rivals Pakistan. While Kambli did not get a chance to bat in the match, Srinath took one wicket as India defeated Pakistan by 60 runs.

Srinath and Kambli had contrasting careers.

Srinath is considered to be one of India's finest medium-pacers of all time. He played 67 Tests and 229 ODIs for team India taking 236 and 315 wickets respectively. The Karnataka seamer was the backbone of India's bowling-attack for a long time.

Kambli on the other hand had a precarious career. Kambli had a fabulous start to his international career where he struck four centuries, including two double centuries, in his first 7 Tests. However, he couldn't continue this and became inconsistent. Moreover, he was amidst controversy because of indiscipline and match-fixing allegations. He last played for India in 2000.

#4 Sachin Tendulkar, Salil Ankola, Vivek Razdan

Razdan with Tendulkar
Razdan with Tendulkar

One of greats of the game made his ODI debut against Pakistan in the year 1989. Tendulkar, who was just 16-years-old at that time, got out on a duck in his debut match. But very few knew what was about to come from that young boy. In a career spanning over 24 years, Tendulkar hit 100 Test centuries, scored more than 34,000 international runs and remained a strong pillar for the Indian team throughout his career. Tendulkar's staggering numbers is testimony of his legacy.

Tendulkar and Ankola played for Mumbai before playing for India
Tendulkar and Ankola played for Mumbai before playing for India

Alongside Tendulkar two more Indian players, fast bowlers Vivek Razdan and Salil Ankola, none of whom had an exceptional cricket career, made their ODI debut in the same match. However, both of these players made a name for themselves in alternate careers. While Ankola turned towards acting and did reasonably well, Razdan went on to become a successful Hindi commentator.

#3 Ravi Shastri, Kris Srikkanth

Shastri and Srikkanth formed a successful opening pair
Shastri and Srikkanth formed a successful opening pair

Two members of India's 1983 World Cup winning side made their debut together in 1981 against England. Ravi Shastri and Kris Srikkanth served Indian cricket for a long time.

Srikkanth was known to be a feisty cricketer. The lad from Tamil Nadu was renowned for his aggressive batting and played some stunning innings as an opener. Even though, Srikkanth's average in both Tests and ODIs were below 30, his explosive batting provided a lot of entertainment to the crowds. After retirement, Srikkanth had a successful stint as the chairman of selectors of India. He has also been affiliated with IPL franchises like Chennai Super Kings and Hyderabad Sunrisers.

Ravi Shastri was an all-rounder in the true sense. While he made 3830 runs and took 151 wickets in 80 Tests, he scored 3108 runs and took 129 wickets in 150 ODIs. Shastri played his last Test for India at the age of 30 and then became a celebrated TV commentator. Shastri is currently Team India's head coach.

#2 Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan

Zaheer and Yuvraj have played for India for more than a decade
Zaheer and Yuvraj have played for India for more than a decade

In early 2000, Sourav Ganguly, India's newly appointed captain gave a string of young faces a go at the international level. Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan are two of those players. In the very first match of the Champions Trophy 2001, which was played in Kenya, India handed ODI caps to Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and Vijay Dahiya.

Yuvraj and Zaheer announced themselves with a strong performance in the series. Both of them went on to play for India for more than a decade and have contributed heavily in India's rise in World Cricket. While Yuvraj continued to put up some amazing performances in limited-overs cricket, Zaheer was India's go-to bowler in all formats and is arguably the best left-arm seamer India has ever produced. Yuvraj will be known for his stroke-play and his contributions in India's World T20 triumph in 2007 and 2011 World Cup victory.

#1 MS Dhoni, Joginder Sharma

Joginder and Dhoni after the famous last over against Pakistan
Joginder and Dhoni after the famous last over against Pakistan

The combination of MS Dhoni and Joginder Sharma is fondly remembered by Indian fans because of the dramatic last over of 2007 World T20. Dhoni entrusted the inexperienced Joginder Sharma with the responsibility of defending 13 runs in the last over. However, MS Dhoni and Joginder Sharma had something in common much before that.

Both of these players made their ODI debuts in the same match against Bangladesh in 2004. Ironically, unlike their careers, in the match Dhoni failed while Joginder did well. Dhoni got run out on a duck while Joginder took a wicket and bowled a tight spell.

Things for both the players changed drastically after that match. While Dhoni went on to become a legendary leader and a world beater, Joginder struggled to find a permanent place in the side. Joginder played 4 ODIs and 4 T20s for Team India, with the finals against Pakistan in 2007 being his last. Dhoni and Joginder later played for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

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Edited by Sarah Waris