Debutants and their performances in the India-Australia series

6 cricketers debuted for their national side after they showed their caliber in the domestic cricket of their respective countries. When senior players were not playing well and few of them had other commitments it was the turn of these youngsters to show their prowess on the big platform. From getting their maiden call up to debuting and playing for their side, there are many things a cricketer cherishes in his career. Here are the facts on how the debutants got selected and how they fared in the ODI Series of India’s tour to Australia 2015-16.

1. Scott Boland (AUS)

A fast bowler from Melbourne, he made his debut for Victoria in the 2011-12 season of the Sheffield Shield. After picking up 19 wickets in the 2013-14 season and 25 wickets in the 2014-15 Sheffield season he earned a call to the fourth test of Australia against West Indies. He also got a representation in the ODI squad of India’s tour. He got a chance to play 4 ODI’s but didn’t perform well. He went wicketless in his debut match after giving 74 runs. In all the chances he got for Australia, he just managed to get one wicket that too only in the second ODI where he took the prized wicket of MS Dhoni. At an average of 259 runs and an economy of 6.64, he had a series to forget with the ball.

2. Joel Paris (AUS)

From the 2011-12 Seasons, the left-arm pacer has represented Western Australia. Joel Paris made his name in the cricketing circuit after brilliant two seasons for Western Australia in the Matador Cup in 2014-15 and 2015-16. His swinging talent and ability to pick up wickets impressed the selectors to come into the national squad to replace the injured Mitchell Starc. He didn’t have a great debut where he gave away 53 runs and couldn’t chip in with any wicket. But he was one of the best bowlers for the Kangaroos where had the figures of 8-0-40-1. He was dropped out of the series after this ODI but with his ability to swing the ball, he might feature for Australia in the future.

3. Gurkeerat Singh Mann (IND)

A part of the CK Nayudu trophy winning Punjab U-22 team, Gurkeerat Singh Mann came up in the cricketing circuit as a batting all-rounder. Middle order batsman and off-spinner Gurkeerat has been impressive in the domestic circuit and the IPL. In the Ranji Trophy, he scored an unbeaten double-hundred against Railways and had also picked up a 9-for against Andhra. This brought him into the limelight and was selected to the Indian squad as the fifth bowling option and a batsman in the lower batting order to use his ability. In a surprise move, he was picked in the ODI Squad for three occasions but he couldn’t materialize his opportunity. With the bat, he just managed 13 runs in the matches he featured and couldn’t weave any magic with the ball as well. He has got another chance in the T20 Series after Rahane’s injury and hopes lie on him to cash in on probably the last opportunity he might get to show his talent.

4. Rishi Dhawan (IND)

Rishi Dhawan, a first class cricketer for Himachal Pradesh is known for his bowling exploits and lower-middle order cameos in the domestic arena. The bowling all-rounder had finished the 2013-14 season with 49 scalps in just 8 matches and the next season with another 40 wickets. He had also proved time and again of his batting capability as well and was rewarded for his consistent performances. It wasn’t looking to be that he would make debut for the country but he got the cap in the 3rd ODI after Ashwin was rested on the bench. He wasn’t impactful and could chip in with just a wicket of George Bailey after bowling in three occasions and 12 runs in the few times he got a chance to bat in. He had an opportunity in the 4th ODI to take India home but he lost his wicket early.

5. Jasprit Bumrah (IND)

Known for his unorthodox bowling action, Gujarat and Mumbai Indians pacer was this season’s joint highest wicket taker for Gujarat in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. It was in the 2013 IPL he was shot up in the cricketing field and after a brilliant season there, it has been a great journey for the young fast bowler. He was called as a cover for Bhuvaneshwar Kumar for the last ODI. He got a chance to play in the final ODI and didn’t disappoint with his performance. With 2 wickets by giving away just 40 runs in a scoring-fiesta he showed his potential and will play a key role for India in the upcoming T20I Series.

6. Barinder Sran (IND)

Touted as India’s next big fast bowling hope before the series, Barinder Sran was a boxer before he came to professional cricket. After winning the U-19 Leg of Gatorade speedster, he debuted for Punjab in 2011. His impressive performances in the Vijay Hazare trophy where he picked 13 wickets in six games earned him his maiden call-up to the national side. He had a dream debut where he picked up Aaron Finch, Warner and Steve Smith for just 56 runs and this performance helped in justifying his selection. He was given a chance in the next two ODIs but he went wicketless in them and was rested on the bench later on. He has great potential and with proper guidance and support, hopefully he will help in resolving India’s woes in the pace battery in the future.

Also read: India in Australia ODI Series 2016 – India Player Ratings