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Best Figures On Test Debut By A Visiting Bowler In India

image-lrybrb5uHartley acknowleding the crowd after claiming 7-fer on Debut. (X.com)

It’s a dream of many to play Test cricket for their nation. Earning a Test cap is one of the biggest honors of their careers. Making a Test match debut has been documented by cricketers as a surreal feeling. Even at this age and time, it doesn't matter how much ODI or T20I cricket one player plays; the dream is always to play the longest version of the game for their team.

Players tend to need experience at the Test level to showcase their talent and full potential. However, many bowlers in Test cricket history have managed to mesmerize spectators on debut. With guile, determination, and skill, pacers and spinners have outfoxed many batters in their very first game in the longest format of international cricket.

Making your debut is easy as the player is used to the conditions and feels comfortable. But when a player makes a debut on foreign soil, then the butterflies start to fly around in the stomach, especially if you’re playing a quality team like India in their backyard.

But how many of them have really managed to squeeze their names into the history books in the first Test of their careers? We at OneCricket  will list out the five best performances by the visiting bowlers in India.

Lance Klusener- 8/64

image-lrybsq9xLance Klusener. (X.com)

Following their defeat in the first Test, South Africa were under immense pressure going into the next game in Kolkata, but they delivered a strong response by securing their maiden Test victory on Indian soil during the second Test of their first-ever Test tour to India, led by captain Hansie Cronje. This historic win unfolded on a challenging green pitch at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Debutant Lance Klusener emerged as the chief destroyer, playing a pivotal role in bundling out the hosts for a meager 137 in the second innings. Klusener's exceptional performance yielded impressive figures of 8/64 off 21.3 overs. The eight batters who fell victim to Klusener's bowling prowess were Nayan Mongia, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Mohammad Azharuddin, Sunil Joshi, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, and Narendra Hirwani.

Klusener stands among the select few bowlers who have achieved an 8-wicket haul in an innings on their debut.

Jason Krejza- 8/215

image-lrybudyaKrejza made his debut in Nagpur. (X.com)

Among the players who made their Test debut in Nagpur, Jason Krejza made a lasting impact with an 8-fer. In 2008, he delivered a memorable debut performance at the VCA Stadium, bowling a remarkable spell of 43.5 overs and finishing with remarkable figures of 8/215. Krejza's off-breaks proved to be a challenge for the Indian batters as he concluded the match with an impressive 12-wicket haul.

His victims included Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, and Amit Mishra. Although Australia lost the match and the series 0-2, Krejza was rightfully named the player of the match for his outstanding performance in his maiden Test appearance.

John Lever- 7/46

image-lrybvfzkLever had a memorable outing in Delhi. (Getty)

In the 1976 Test series between India and England, John Lever emerged as a new hero during his debut in the capital city of Delhi. Despite facing stalwarts like Sunil Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath, and Gundappa Viswanath in the Indian batting order, none could withstand the young left-arm fast bowler's prowess. Lever's stellar performance saw India bundled out for a meager 122 runs in the first innings, where he claimed 7 wickets, significantly contributing to India's early collapse.

England enforced a follow-on, and although India showed resilience in their second innings, the English bowlers, led by Lever, wrapped up their batting stint with just 234 runs. Lever continued his class in the second innings, adding three more scalps to complete a 10-wicket haul. England handed India a resounding defeat by an innings and 25 runs, securing the lead in the series. To this day, Lever's performance stands as the best figures by a visiting English bowler in India.

Tom Hartley- 7/62

image-lrybwf1iHartley made his debut memorable with a win in Hyderabad. (X.com)

Joining this prestigious list is Tom Hartley, the latest entrant. The tall left-arm spinner bowled the defining spell on day 4 of his debut Test, securing a remarkable seven-wicket haul on Day 4 of the recently concluded first Test against India in Hyderabad.

With India chasing 231 runs in the fourth innings, the responsibility fell on England's spin bowlers to establish a dominant position. After being criticized for his ordinary performance in India's first innings, Hartley redeemed himself to ran through a strong Indian batting line-up. His figures of 7/62 played a lead role in bowling out India for 202 in pursuit of 231.

While Ollie Pope received the man-of-the-match award, Hartley's heroics with the ball (9 wickets in the match) cannot be understated. The 25-year-old now holds the record for the best figures on debut by an English spinner.

Todd Murphy- 7/124

image-lrybxxczTodd Mutphy's efforts went in vain as India won the Nagpur Test. (X.com)

In 2008, it was Jason Krejza; in 2023, Todd Murphy followed suit. The inexperienced off-spinner, without a prior five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, marked an impressive initiation into Test cricket by claiming a five-wicket haul against India.

Murphy began his spree by dismissing KL Rahul and went on to take six more wickets, including key players like Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. Throughout the innings, he exhibited remarkable control, almost overshadowing the seasoned spinner Nathan Lyon. Despite Murphy's commendable effort of finishing with figures of 7-124, India clinched the victory and the series. Notably, Murphy holds the distinction of being the youngest visiting off-spinner to achieve a five-wicket haul on debut in India.