Historic debut by 5 Indian Faces on the Field in Test Series Against England

The ongoing Test series between India and England has become more than just a battle between two cricketing giants. It’s written itself into the history books, not for the nail-biting finishes or spectacular centuries, but for another special achievement by the Indian team, that too for the second time.

This series has witnessed a rare event – five Indian players getting their Test caps, marking their debut in the purest format of the game! This has only happened once before in the history of Indian cricket, back in the 2020-21 series against Australia. So, who are these five exciting youngsters who have been thrown into the spotlight? Come, let’s meet them!

Rajat Patidar

First on the list is Rajat Patidar, a batsman who usually opens the innings. On 2 February 2024, in the second Test at Vizag, the legendary fast bowler Zaheer Khan had the honor of handing him his Test cap, number 310. While his scores in the match of 32 and 9 in the first and second innings, respectively, might not seem like much, but those who saw him bat could see the talent there. He played some good shots and showed promise for the future. We’ll definitely be watching him closely to see if he can make a bigger impact next time!

Dhruv Jurel

Next up is Dhruv Jurel, a wicket-keeper batsman who got his Test cap number 311 from the experienced Dinesh Karthik in the third Test at Rajkot on 15 February 2024. Unlike some players who get nervous on their debut, Jurel looked calm and composed. Using his six-hitting skills, he managed to smash three sixes in his maiden well-made knock of 46 in his first innings off 104 balls, which is no easy feat! This showed that he has the temperament and skills to handle the pressure of international cricket.

Sarfaraz Khan

The middle order just got a whole lot more stylish with the arrival of Sarfaraz Khan. This young batsman received his Test cap (number 312) during the Rajkot Test on 15 February 2024 from none other than the decorated Anil Kumble. Khan didn’t just make his debut; he made history by scoring fifties in both innings – a remarkable achievement for any player, let alone a debutant! In the first innings, he scored 62 runs off 66 balls, featuring nine fours and a six and in the second innings, he remained unbeaten with a score of 68 off 72 balls, including six fours and three sixes. This twin-fifties feat has everyone talking about his immense potential, and we can’t wait to see him bat again.

Akash Deep

Next in the line is Akash Deep, a promising fast bowler, who got his Test cap number 313 from the Indian coach Rahul Dravid in the fourth Test at Ahmedabad on 23 Feb 2024. Akash immediately made an impact by claiming the first three wickets of the England top order – Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope. His raw pace and the way he swung the ball were very impressive. Deep’s test debut performance has made him a well-known name in international cricket. He is getting praise for his performance from major elites of Indian Cricket. The future of Indian fast bowling looks bright with this young gun in the team!

Devdutt Padikkal

The fifth and final player in this bunch of debutants is Devdutt Padikkal, an aggressive left-handed batsman who got his Test cap number 314 from the spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin, who is also playing his 100th Test Match in the fifth and final Test at Dharamsala. What a coincidence! Right? Padikkal replaced the injured Rajat Patidar, who suffered an ankle injury during training on Wednesday. Scoring 2227 runs in 31 first-class matches in his domestic career, which included six centuries and 12 fifties with the highest score of 193, Padikkal has been making a name for himself in domestic cricket with his explosive batting style. Now, he has the chance to show his skills on the biggest stage. Cricket fans are eagerly waiting to see if he can transform his domestic dominance into an international success.

This bunch of youngsters shows that India is serious about building a strong team for the future. By giving them a chance to play alongside experienced players, they are gaining invaluable experience that will help them grow as international cricketers.  Only time will tell how their careers pan out, but one thing’s for sure – their debuts have added a whole new layer of excitement to this already thrilling Test series.