Top 5 Indians To Win 'Player Of The Match' In Their Maiden T20I Innings

Suryakumar Yadav in action | Source: Twitter 

Rinku Singh announced his arrival on the international stage with a mesmerizing knock of 38 runs, helping India put up a mammoth total of 185/5 in the second T20I against Ireland, in which the former emerged victorious by 33 runs.   

The Uttar Pradesh batter made the Irish bowlers sweat, knocking two boundaries and sending three sixes sailing. He clinched the Man of the Match title for his breathtaking display, placing him among the exclusive group of fifth Indian batters to achieve this on a T20I debut inning.

On that note, let’s take a look at the four other Indian batters who bagged the Man of the Match award in their debut T20I innings:  

S Badrinath vs West Indies, 2011

S Badrinath | Source: Twitter 

S Badrinath marked his first appearance in India's T20I lineup in 2011 against the West Indies. He stole the show by notching up the highest score for India with 43 runs off 37 balls with the help of five boundaries as India went on to post 159 runs for the loss of six wickets on the scoreboard. 

Later, the Men in Blue sealed the victory by restricting the Caribbean side to 143/5 as S Badrinath was awarded with the Man of the Match performance for his blistering knock. 

Dinesh Karthik vs South Africa, 2006

Dinesh Karthik | Source: Twitter 

Dinesh Karthik jumped into India's T20I scene in December 2006, taking on South Africa. In the nail-biting chase of 127 runs on a tricky Johannesburg pitch, the keeper-batter slammed an unbeaten 31 off 28 balls. He smashed three fours and a six out of the park, leading India to a win with just one ball remaining. Karthik rightfully earned the Man of the Match award for his stellar play. 

Ishan Kishan vs England, 2021

Ishan Kishan | Source: Twitter 

Ishan Kishan made a splash in his India T20I debut against England back in 2021, playing a huge role in India's thumping seven-wicket victory. He teamed up with Virat Kohli to craft a game-changing partnership of 94 runs for the second wicket after India suffered an early blow in the form of KL Rahul. 

The Ranchi batter dominated the partnership, smashing five fours and four maximums on his way to a quickfire 56 off 32 balls. While Kohli finished with an unbeaten with 73 off 49 balls, Kishan walked away with the Player of the Match title for his explosive performance that set the tone for India’s run-chase. 

Suryakumar Yadav vs England, 2021

Suryakumar Yadav | Source: Twitter 

Suryakumar Yadav's T20I debut came in the same game as Ishan Kishan's, but he missed out on batting. However, two matches later, he made a grand entrance onto the international scene by smashing a blazing fifty in just 28 balls. 

His rapid 57 off 31 balls powered India to a total of 185/8 in the first innings, with the Indian bowlers defending it successfully in Ahmedabad. The Mumbai-batter was awarded with the Player of the Match title for his blazing knock. 

Rinku Singh vs Ireland, 2023 

Rinku Singh with Jasprit Bumrah | Source: Twitter 

After nailing it in two consecutive IPL seasons, Rinku Singh was banging on the door of the Indian team. The moment finally came when he made the cut for the squad taking on Ireland in a three-match T20I series. 

The Uttar Pradesh batter didn't get a chance to bat in the first T20I against Ireland due to rain spoiling the game. The rain-shortened match ended with India winning by two runs via the DLS method. Rinku's opportunity with the bat finally arrived in the second T20I, where he displayed an impressive array of strokes. 

Despite a sluggish start, Rinku managed to accelerate his performance, scoring 38 off the first 21 balls. His knock was braced with two boundaries and three sixes. He was adjudged with the Man of the Match award for his blistering knock.  

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