South Africa gave Team India a proper hiding as they won the first Test of the ongoing three-match series by an innings and 32 runs on Thursday. The match took place at the SuperSport Park in Centurion and was finished within three days.
The Proteas outperformed the visitors in every category. While their pacers bowled brilliantly, the batting lineup performed admirably on a surface that did not lend itself to easy runs.
After India scored a competitive 245 in their first innings, the host team’s players put the game to bed by scoring 408 and taking a 163-run advantage. While Jasprit Bumrah led the Indian bowling attack with 4/69, he had little backup from his colleagues.
Pacers like Mohammed Siraj (91/2) and Shardul Thakur (101/1) struggled, giving up many runs. Too, Prasidh Krishna, new to the game, wasn’t as strong as hoped. He ended with results of 93/1 in 20 overs.
For Prasidh Krishna, the first time playing red-ball cricket didn’t go as planned. Prasidh Krishna debut put him amongst the Indian pacers with the costly debut spells.
Considering this, let’s check out the top three priciest spells by an Indian pacer during their Test debut.
1. Thirumalai Sekhar’s expensive debut: 0/86 against Pakistan in 1983
In the years 1982 and 1983, India visited Pakistan to compete in a series of six test matches. Pakistan proved a formidable opponent, winning the series 3 to 0 against India.
After India experienced loss in three out of the initial four matches, a new opportunity arose for an emerging fast bowler by the name of Thirumalai Sekhar. This athlete, originally from Tamil Nadu, was placed as first-change following Kapil Dev and Balwinder Sandhu.
Sekhar did his hardest but couldn’t secure his line and length against players like Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, and Mudassar Nazar. Sekhar was wicketless and threw out 86 runs in his 20 overs.
His economy rate of 4.3 was the highest of any Indian. India may have been in big danger if it hadn’t been for Kapil Dev’s miraculous 8/85.
Pakistan scored 323 in their first innings, while India was 235/3 when the match was called off due to rain. As a result, the game finished in a tie.
Sekhar played just two Tests and four ODIs. But he was selected for Team India’s committee. He also managed the Delhi Daredevils (now called Delhi Capitals) in the 2015 IPL.
2. Prasidh Krishna conceded 93 runs for one wicket on his Test debut in 2023
As previously said, Prasidh Krishna had a disappointing Test debut for India, failing to create an impression.
Prasidh Krishna was anticipated to inflict some damage in South African conditions due to his ability to extract extra bounce off the surface. Prasidh Krishna couldn’t have asked for a better pitch to make his debut on, as it provided the bowlers with both swing and seam.
The tall quick bowler, on the other hand, appeared bewildered at times. Prasidh Krishna constantly leaked runs and proved to be an easy target for the Proteas hitters, notably Dean Elgar, who accumulated 185 runs in his final Test match.
3. Irfan Pathan – 1/136 vs Australia in 2003
Irfan Pathan holds the title for the costliest spell by an Indian fast bowler in their Test debut match. His first match was against Australia, in the well-known 2003-04 series Down Under.
In the second Test of the Border-Gavasker Trophy 2003-04 series, Australia had the upper hand. On day one, their batters had a field day on the even Adelaide surface. Justin Langer scored a half-century, while Ricky Ponting demolished the Indian defense with a brilliant 242.
Irfan Pathan, who replaced Zaheer Khan in the lineup, got off to a good start by removing Matthew Hayden in his first period. Pathan began to leak runs as the Australian hitters settled into the game.
The left-arm fast bowler leaked runs at a speed of 5.04 per over. This was the highest run-rate by a bowler in that Test match. Pathan sent down 27 overs in his first bowling spell and ended with a 1/136 tally.
Australia scored a huge 556/10. Then, India replied with a heroic effort. Rahul Dravid (233) and VVS Laxman (148) built a massive 303-run stand. Resulting in a remarkable win for India by four wickets in an unforgettable match.
