Indian players to win the man of the match on their T20I debut

Performing well is what all cricketers try their best to do when they make their debut. These youngsters want to make their best first impression and try to impress the selectors and the fans. 

However, the high expectations, the nervousness, and the pressure can impact the player's performance at debut. However, there are a few instances when a player can overcome all these hurdles and make the best first impression on debut. So, here are the

Indian players to win the man of the match on their T20I debut

1) Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik was the first Indian to win the man of the match award on his T20I debut. This was India's first T20I match and it was played during India's tour of South Africa in 2006. South Africa posted a total of 126/9 in 20 overs. India chased the total in 19.5 overs and Dinesh Karthik was awarded the man of the match award for scoring 31 in 28 balls.

2) Pragyan Ojha

Pragyan Ojha was the first Indian bowler to win the man of the match award on his T20I debut. The wrist-spinner made his debut in the 2009 T20 World Cup and was awarded the man of the match for his match-winning spell of 4/21, helping India to beat Bangladesh by 21 runs.

3) Subramaniam Badrinath

Playing his first and only T20I match, Subramaniam Badrinath was awarded the man of the match when he scored 43 of 37 deliveries against the West Indies in a one-off T20I match in 2011.

4) Axar Patel

Axar Patel made his T20I debut when India toured Zimbabwe in 2015. The 28-year-old was awarded the man of the match award for his spell of 3/17.

5) Barinder Sran

When India toured Zimbabwe a year later, Barinder Sran bowled a match-winning spell of 4/10 and was awarded the man of the match.

6) Navdeep Saini

Making his debut in 2019, Navdeep Saini was awarded the man of the match, taking 3 wickets for just 17 runs when India toured the West Indies in 2019.

7) Ishan Kishan

After an impressive 2020 IPL, Ishan Kishan was given his T20I cap when England toured India in 2021. The pocket dynamo scored a half-century against a bowling line-up consisting of Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, and Adil Rashid and was awarded the man of the match.

8) Harshal Patel

After winning the purple cap in the 2021 IPL, Harshal Patel was given his T20I cap when New toured India in 2021. The 32-year-old did not disappoint as he took 2/25 in 4 overs.

9) Ravi Bishnoi

Being the latest entry on this list, Ravi Bishnoi made his T20I debut earlier this year when West Indies toured India. The 22-year-old was awarded the man of the match for his impressive spell of 2/17.

Who do you think will join this elite list? Are there any upcoming Indian youngsters to watch out for? Leave your comments below and stay tuned to Sportco for more content.

Cover credits: BCCIofficial