Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Making a debut in One Day International (ODI) cricket is a significant career highlight for any player, but a select few have managed to elevate this moment into the realm of the truly extraordinary by scoring a century in their very first match. This incredible achievement instantly carves their name into cricket folklore and signals the arrival of a special talent on the international circuit.
The tradition of phenomenal ODI debuts began with England's Dennis Amiss, who crafted a memorable 103 against Australia in Manchester way back in August 1972. This set a precedent for future cricketers to aspire to. Over the decades, this exclusive club has welcomed members from various cricketing nations, each adding their unique story to this list.
Among the most iconic debut centuries is Desmond Haynes' blazing 148 for the West Indies against Australia in 1978. Other distinguished cricketers who announced their arrival with a debut ODI ton include Zimbabwe's Andy Flower (115* vs Sri Lanka, 1992), Pakistan's elegant Saleem Elahi (102* vs Sri Lanka, 1995), and New Zealand's dynamic opener Martin Guptill (122* vs West Indies, 2009).
South Africa has seen multiple players achieve this, with Colin Ingram (124 vs Zimbabwe, 2010), Temba Bavuma (113 vs Ireland, 2016), and Reeza Hendricks (102 vs Sri Lanka, 2018) all hitting the three-figure mark in their first ODI appearances. Australia's Phillip Hughes (112 vs Sri Lanka, 2013) and England's Michael Lumb (106 vs West Indies, 2014) also joined this coveted list.
For India, KL Rahul holds the distinct honor of being the only Indian batsman to score a century on his ODI debut, an unbeaten 100 against Zimbabwe in 2016. Pakistan also boasts multiple entrants like Imam-ul-Haq (100 vs Sri Lanka, 2017) and Abid Ali (112 vs Australia, 2019). More recently, Afghanistan's explosive Rahmanullah Gurbaz (127 vs Ireland, 2021) made a grand entrance. Adding to the list, Scotland's Michael English (107 vs Namibia, 2024) and West Indies' Amir Jangoo (104* vs Bangladesh, 2024), who notably achieved his ton batting outside the top order, showcased that this remarkable feat continues to be accomplished by emerging talents.
A debut ODI century is more than just runs on a scoreboard; it's a powerful statement of intent, showcasing a player's ability to handle immense pressure and thrive on the biggest stage from the get-go.
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