Indian Players To Win Man Of The Match On T20I Debut

Young Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has become the 8th Indian player to win the "Man of the Match" award on his T20I debut

Arijit Barua

Feb 17, 2022, 10:10 AM

Indian Players To Win Man Of The Match On T20I Debut

Winning a "Man Of The Match" trophy while playing for Team India would probably be the dream of every player. However, it is something, for which you have to outperform pretty much every other player on the field, including your teammates as well.

To win the match on the match award, obviously, a player has to be the best among the 22 players that take to the field. However, in the past, there have been some Indian players who have achieved this feat on their debut itself.

Yesterday, Ravi Bishnoi has debuted against the West Indies in the ongoing T20I series at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Ravi picks up 2 crucial wickets by giving only 17 runs in his four overs. In this article, SportzPoint will take you to the eight Indian players who have won the "Man Of The Match" award on their T20I debut.

Also Read: Mickey Arthur feels England players should stop playing the IPL and here's the reason

Dinesh Karthik | 2006


Image - Sportskeeda

Dinesh Karthik won the "Man of the Match" award on his debut. Meanwhile, he won the award when the Indian team played its first-ever T20I match against South Africa in December 2006. For the first time in cricket history, team India played the Proteas in a 20-overs battle.

The Men in Blue chased down South Africa's 126-run target with one ball remaining. Dinesh Karthik, who made his T20I debut that day, was adjudged as the best among all the Indian players. He scored 31 runs off 28 balls and remained not out as well.

Pragyan Ojha | 2009

Former Indian leggie Pragyan Ojha made his T20I debut in Indian colors against Bangladesh on 6 June 2009. The Men in Blue batting first gave the Bangla Tigers a mammoth score of 180 runs to chase. However, they failed short of that target eventually. Bangladesh ended up with just 155 runs in reply to the Indian innings.

Debutant Pragyan Ojha starred for team India as he scalped four wickets in his spell, giving away just 21 runs. The 33-year-old was rewarded with the 'Man of the Match' award for a stunning display that helped India defeat their neighbors.

Read Also: Most runs as captain in women's ODIs

Subramaniam Badrinath | 2011


Image - Indian Actor

After impressing one and all with his exploits in the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 4, Subramaniam Badrinath got selected for India's T20 squad for the West Indies tour in 2011. In the only T20I fixture, Badrinath scored 43 runs off 37 balls to help India defeat the hosts by 16 runs.

Badrinath was rewarded with a "Man of the Match" award for his performance, on his debut. The shocking thing here is that as Badrinath's maiden and also last T20I appearance for the Indian team.

Axar Patel | 2015


Image - NDTV Sports

Axar Patel also features on this list of Indian players who won the "Man of the Match" award on their T20I debut. He made his debut against Zimbabwe on 17 July 2015. Team India in their innings, scored 178 runs at the loss of five wickets.

Zimbabwe, chasing a big total, could only score 124 runs in the allotted 20 overs. Axar picked up three wickets in his spell, giving away just 17 runs, as helped India restrict Zimbabwe, and was deservedly given the 'Man of the Match' award on his debut.

Barinder Sran | 2016

Another Indian player who won the "Man of the Match" award on his T20I debut against Zimbabwe, Barinder Sran first turned out for the Men in Blue on 20 June 2016. He helped India bowl out the opposition team for just 99 runs. In reply, they easily chased down the target in 13.1 overs without losing a single wicket.

In his four-over spell, Sran gave away just ten runs, whilst also amassing four wickets. He was adjudged as the best performer among all of the Indian players. However, the 27-year-old's career has undergone a downward spiral ever since.

Also Read: Most successful franchise team among leagues in the world

Navdeep Saini | 2019


Image - Sky Sports

Indian pacer Navdeep Saini has won the 'Man of the Match' award on his T20I debut. He achieved this feat against the West Indies, on 3rd August 2019. Saini picked up three wickets, in his four-over spell, giving away just 17 runs.

Meanwhile, which ultimately helped the Indian team to restrict the West Indies to a total of 95 runs. They chased down the target in 17.2 overs, at the cost of six wickets.

Harshal Patel | 2021


Image - DNA India

Indian pacer Harshal Patel won "Man Of The Match" award on his debut T20I game against New Zealand last year in Ranchi. That was India's second game of the series on 19 November 2021. Harshal picked up 2 wickets giving away just 25 runs in his four overs spell.

Meanwhile, Harshal helped his team to restrict the blackcaps within a chasable total of 153-6 in 20 overs. India chased down the target in the 18th over and won the match by 7 wickets.

Read Also: Most ODI runs in the first six innings: Suryakumar Yadav hits new record

Ravi Bishnoi | 2022


Image - India TV

A new player comes into the list yesterday when India clashes the mighty West Indies in their 1st T20I at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 16 February 2022. Ravi Bishnoi took 2 wickets by giving just 17 runs in his four overs spell.

The wickets includes a LBW against Roston Chase. That's why he was given the "Man Of The Match" award on his debut T20I game for India. Bishnoi helped India to restrict their opponents in 157-7 runs and later chased it down with a stealer show from Rohit and Surya.

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Most Wickets for India in Pink Ball Test

India are set to play their second Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide. After winning the Perth Test match by a massive margin of 295 runs, India will face Australia against the pink ball, under lights. So before the start of the series, let's take a look at the Indian bowlers who took the most wickets in the Pink Ball Test.

Payal Debnath

Dec 3, 2024, 10:27 AM

Most Wickets for India in Pink Ball Test

Pink Ball Test, a five-day match contested under lights like a One Day International, was first held in November 2015 after a lot of trials in First-Class cricket across the globe. Day-Night Test was introduced to add more to the longer format as white-ball especially the T20s has taken over the game with crowds preferring the shorter format.

Also Read: Most Runs for India in Pink Ball Test

India are set to play their second Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide. After winning the Perth Test match by a massive margin of 295 runs, India will face Australia against the pink ball, under lights. So before the start of the series, let's take a look at the Indian bowlers who took the most wickets in the Pink Ball Test. 

1# Ravichandran Ashwin | 18 Wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin is the highest wicket taker for India in the pink ball test. He appeared in all 4 of India's matches, taking 18 wickets at an average of 13.83. In his Test career, he played 105 matches, in which he took 536 wickets at an average of 23.95. Meanwhile, he has taken 5 wickets in 37 innings. Ashwin did not play in the first Test of the current series.

2# Axar Patel | 14 Wickets

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel has played only 2 matches with the pink ball, taking 14 wickets with a strong average of 9.14. In 2021, he took a total of 11 wickets in the day-night test played against England in Ahmedabad. He took 5 wickets in both the innings. In his Test career so far, Axar has taken 55 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 19.34.

3# Umesh Yadav | 11 Wickets

Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadav has also had a strong performance in the day-night test. The Indian fast bowler has taken 11 wickets in 2 matches with an excellent average of 15.54. In his Test career, Umesh has played 57 matches, in which he has taken 170 wickets at an average of 30.95. He is currently out of the Indian team. Umesh played his last Test in 2023.

4# Jasprit Bumrah | 10 Wickets

Jasprit Bumrah, who led the Indian team on the first test, has taken 10 wickets in the pink ball test. Bumrah has taken 10 wickets in 3 day-night tests. He took 5 wicket haul against Sri Lanka. Bumrah is currently on Australia tour. He took a total of 8 wickets in the first Perth Test of the series.

5# Ishant Sharma | 10 Wickets

Ishant Sharma has also taken 10 wickets each in the Pink Ball Test. Ishant took 10 wickets in 2 tests. He took a total of 9 wickets in the match against Bangladesh. He is currently out of the Indian team. Ishant played his last Test in 2021.

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Border–Gavaskar Trophy: India's record in Pink Ball Test

The second Test in Border–Gavaskar Trophy will be played with the pink ball in a day-night affair. Having been played for the first time in 2015, the concept of day-night Tests was taken to make the longest format of the game more interesting.

Payal Debnath

Dec 1, 2024, 8:22 PM

Border–Gavaskar Trophy: India's record in Pink Ball Test - Sportzopoint.com

The second match of the five-match Border–Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia will be played in Adelaide from December 6. This will be a day-night test played with the pink ball. 

The good thing for India is that regular captain Rohit Sharma has returned. Apart from this, Shubman Gill is also on the verge of becoming fit. With the return of these two, Indian batting will become stronger. However, the team management will be worried about the playing 11. Fitting Rohit and Gill into a winning combination is a matter of concern.

Also Read: Indian captains to win POTM awards in Australia in Tests

It is considered certain that Devdutt Padikkal will sit on the bench. Apart from this, Dhruv Jurel can also be seen sitting on the bench. The biggest problem will be whether KL Rahul will be sent to open or he will be sent back to number five. Before that let us look at India's statistics in Day-Night Test or Pink Ball Test.

India has played four pink ball tests so far

India has played four day-night tests so far. Out of these, they have won in three, while they have faced defeat in one. Team India has won 75 percent of the matches in the day-night test. The only Test in which the Indian team lost was played in Adelaide four years ago. This was the first Test of India's tour of Australia in the 2020/21 Border–Gavaskar Trophy. Team India, captained by Virat Kohli, had to face a crushing defeat by eight wickets.

What happened in the India-Australia match in Adelaide in 2020?

Batting first in Adelaide, India had scored 244 runs. Cheteshwar Pujara scored 43 runs and Ajinkya Rahane 42 runs. In reply, Australia's first innings was limited to 191 runs. Marnus Labuschagne scored 47 runs and captain Tim Paine scored 73 runs.

The Indian team was devastated in the second innings and was reduced to just 36 runs. This is also India's lowest score in Tests. Cummins and Hazlewood took four and five wickets respectively. India had set a target of 90 runs by taking the lead against Australia. Australia won the match by scoring 93 runs for two wickets. Matthew Wade scored 33 runs, while Joe Burns remained unbeaten on 51 runs.

India played first pink ball test in 2019

India played its first pink ball test against Bangladesh in 2019 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata and won by 46 runs. After this, after playing against Australia in 2020, Team India defeated England by 10 wickets in the day-night test in Ahmedabad in February 2021 and then Sri Lanka by 238 runs in Bengaluru in March 2022. India's highest score in the day-night test is 347/9.

Indian batter who scored most runs in pink ball test

Virat Kohli has scored the most runs for India in the day-night test. He has scored 277 runs in four such matches at an average of 46.16. At the same time, Rohit Sharma is at second place with 173 runs in three matches at an average of 43.25. Shreyas Iyer is at third place in the list. He has scored 155 runs at an average of 79.50. 

Whereas, if we talk about bowlers, Ravichandran Ashwin has taken the most wickets for India in the day-night test. He has taken 18 wickets in four such matches. At the same time, Akshar Patel has taken 14 wickets in two pink ball tests. Umesh Yadav has taken 11 wickets in two such matches.

Also Read: Highest catches dropped percentages since 2011 (Min 100 chances) | Virat tops the list among batters

Highest runs for India in day-night test

Player Match Runs Average
Virat Kohli 4 277 46.16
Rohit Sharma 3 173 43.25
Shreyas Iyer 1 155 79.50

Most wickets for India in day-night test

Player Match Wickets Average
Ravichandran Ashwin 4 18 13.83
Axar Patel 2 14 9.14
Umesh Yadav 2 11 15.54

Australia's figures in day night test

Australia has an exceptional record in day night tests. They have played 12 day-night tests so far, out of which they have won 11 while losing only one. What makes their record even more impressive is that their wins have come against different opponents. These include India, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. Australia defeated New Zealand by three wickets in the first international day-night Test in Adelaide in 2015. 

The matter of concern for Australia is that Josh Hazlewood, who wreaked havoc in 2020, will not play in the second Test of the Border–Gavaskar Trophy due to injury.

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IND vs AUS PM XI Match Report: India wins by six wickets in Canberra

India beat Prime Minister XI in the 2-day practice match at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. Due to rain Day 1 was a complete wash out and Day 2 the game was reduced to 46 overs per side.

Payal Debnath

Dec 1, 2024, 8:02 PM

IND vs AUS PM XI Match Report: India wins by six wickets in Canberra - Sportzpoint.com

India beat Prime Minister XI in the IND vs AUS PM XI 2-day practice match at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. The first day's play could not be played on Saturday (30 November) due to rain and on Day 2, the game was reduced to 46 overs per side.

A five-Test series is being played between IND vs AUS. Team India won the first match of this series by 295 runs. The Indian team is currently leading 1-0 in this series. The next match is to be played in Adelaide. This match will be played with pink ball in day-night format. Team India is preparing for this match.

To strengthen its hold in the Pink Ball Test, the Indian team played a two-day practice match against Australia's Prime Minister's XI. Where the India defeated PM XI in a one-sided manner. Team India won this match by 6 wickets.

Also Read: Border–Gavaskar Trophy: India's record in Pink Ball Test

The first day of the practice match played between IND vs AUS PM XI was washed out due to rain. Due to this, the match was played with some new rules on the second day. Where both the teams got a chance to bat 46-46 overs. Whichever team scores the most runs wins.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss in this match and decided to bowl first. After which the team of Prime Minister XI came on the field to bat first. His team was all out on the score of 240 runs in 43.2 overs.

For that, 19-year-old batsman Sam Konstas scored 107 runs. Harshit Rana took a maximum 4 wickets for India.

In reply, the Indian team played a full 46 overs and scored 257 runs at the loss of 5 wickets. India's score was higher than Australia's. Due to which Team India was declared the winner of this match. 

Gill scored a brilliant half-century 

Returning from injury, Shubman Gill scored a brilliant half-century in this match. He retired after playing an innings of 50 runs in 62 balls. Before this, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was out after scoring 45 runs. His partner KL Rahul added 27 runs. Captain Rohit Sharma's bat did not work. He could score only 3 runs.

Young Nitish Reddy once again impressed with his batting and scored an inning of 42 runs in 32 balls. Washington Sundar remained unbeaten after scoring 42 runs. Devdutt Padikkal returned unbeaten on 4 runs. Sarfaraz Khan was out on 1 run while Ravindra Jadeja scored 27 runs.

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Most T20 wickets among Indian bowlers | Bhuvneshwar Kumar enters the record books

As Bhuvnewshar Kumar became the first Indian bowler to take 300 T20 wickets during the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy 2024, here the Indian bowlers with most T20 wickets among the Indian bowlers.

Koushik Biswas

Nov 30, 2024, 8:27 PM

Most T20 wickets among Indian bowlers | Bhuvneshwar Kumar enters the record books

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the Indian pacer who last played for the Indian team in 2022, recently became the first Indian pacer to take more than 300 T20 wickets during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Tournament 2024. Captaining the Uttar Pradesh team, the medium pacer showcased even at his age, how he can be good with the ball in hand. In the UP vs Himachal Pradesh match, he claimed his 300 T20 wicket. 

Indian bowlers with most T20 wickets

As Bhuvneshwar Kumar became the first Indian pacer to achieve feat, we will give the list of Indian bowlers with most T20 wickets. 

4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 304 T20 wickets

Bhuvneshwar Kumar becomes the first Indian pacer to take 300 T20 wickets - sportzpoint.com

The 35-year-old medium pacer has been one of the highest wicket-takers for India in T20I cricket. In T20 internationals for India, Bhuvnewshwar Kumar has taken 90 wickets in 87 T20I matches at an outstanding economy rate of 6.96, including two five-wicket hauls. 

In Indian Premier League, while playing for Pune Warriors and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Buvi has taken 181 wickets in 176 matches at an excellent economy rate of 7.56 runs per over. In total, Bhuvneshwar so far has taken 304 wickets in T20 cricket in 290 matches at 7.29 runs per over.

Read Also | Is this the end of the road for Bhuvneshwar Kumar? UP ignores the pacer for the Ranji Trophy 2024-25

He stands as the fourth highest wicket-taker among Indians in T20 cricket and is the only Indian fast bowler to take more than 300 wickets in shortest format of the game.

  Matches Wickets Economy Rate Average Best Figure 5WI
T20I 87 90 6.96 23.10 5/4 2
IPL 176 181 7.56 27.23 5/19 2
Champions League 1 0 7.75 - - 0
Total T20s 290 304 7.29 25.10 5/4 5

3. Ravichandran Ashwin | 310 T20 Wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin | 310 T20 Wickets - sportzpoint.com

A test legend in his own rights, Ravichandran Ashwin had started his career with the T20s. It was Chennai Super Kings who had found the spark in him which helped him gain the exposure to evantually get selected for India and flourish as an all-format bowler. The off-spinner from Tamil Nadu has played 324 T20 games so far in his career and took 324 wickets at an astonishing economoy rate of 7.06. 

In IPL, he has played for teams like CSK, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiants and Delhi Capitals along with playing for the Indian team and Tamil Nadu in his career. In his 212 IPL games, he has taken 180 wickets at 7.12 runs per over. For India, in T20Is, Ashwin has the off-spinner took 72 wickets in only 65 games. 

  Matches Wickets Economy Rate Average Best Figure 5WI
T20I 65 72 6.90 23.22 4/8 0
IPL 212 180 7.12 29.82 4/34 0
Champions League 24 30 7.44 22.16 4/18 0
Total T20s 324 310 7.06 26.64 4/8 0

2. Piyush Chawla | 319 T20 Wickets

Most T20 wickets among Indian bowlers - Piyush Chawla | 319 T20 Wickets - sportzpoint.com

The leg spinner has been playing T20s since 2007 and has played a total 297 T20 matches so far in his career. In his career, he has taken 319 T20 wickets with an economy rate of 7.53. However, he only played 7 T20 internationals for India and took only 4 wickets for the country.

In the Indian Premier League, he has featured in 192 games for Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians. Chawla has been one of the most successful bowlers in the tournament with 192 wickets with an economy rate of 7.96 runs per over.

Moreover, he has played for overseas teams like Sussex in Vitality Blast Tournament in England. 

Tournament Matches Wickets Economy Average BBI 5W
IPL 192 192 7.96 26.60 4/17 0
Champions League 8 8 8.07 28.25 2/17 0
Vitality Blast 1 2 4.25 8.50 2/17 0
T20Is 7 4 6.56 37.75 2/13 0
T20s (Total) 297 319 7.53 24.45 4/12 0

1. Yuzvendra Chahal | 363 T20 Wickets

Yuzvendra Chahal has the most T20 wickets among Indian bowlers - sportzpoint.com

Yuzvendra Chahal is perhaps the most Indian successful bowlers in the shortest format of the game. The leg-spinner from Haryana started his career with IPL teams like Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore and made a name for yourself to get into the Indian team.

Chahal spent eight seasons with Royal Challengers Bangalore and with 113 wickets, is still their highest wicket-taker in Indian Premier League history. However, RCB decided not to retain him in the 2022 mega auction, and Chahal headed to Rajasthan Royals. 

In IPL 2025 Mega acution, he became the most expensive spinner in the tournament's history as Punjab Kings bought him for INR 18 cr. Till now, in IPL, Chahal has taken 205 wickets, and is the most successful bowler in the tournament's history. For India, he has played 80 T20I games and once was the highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is with 96 wickets.

Tournament Matches Wickets Economy Average BBI 5W
IPL 160 205 7.84 22.44 5/40 1
Champions League 6 3 6.76 29.33 2/9 0
T20Is 80 96 8.19 25.09 6/25 1
T20s (Total) 309 363 7.65 23.33 6/25 2

 

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Prime Minister's XI v India: When and how India will practice ahead of the Pink test in Adelaide

Indian men's cricket team will play a single day of match practice with the pink ball for Adelaide's day-night Test after Saturday's play was abandoned due to rain.

Koushik Biswas

Nov 30, 2024, 4:08 PM

Prime Minister's XI v India: When and how India will practice ahead of the Pink test in Adelaide

Indian men's cricket team will play a single day of match practice with the pink ball to prepare for the Adelaide's day-night Test after Saturday's play against the Prime Minister's XI was abandoned due to rain at the Canberra's Manuka Oval. India were supposed the play a two-day practice match. But, it is now reduced to a single-day match due to rain.

The men in blue were hoping to get going with the preparation for the pink ball test match after dismantaling the Aussie team in the first test at Perth. However, the Indian test captain Rohit Sharma arrived late and along with him, Shubman Gill, who was injured in the first test, were keen to get some practice match before the second test.

Rohit did have some go in the nets against the Indian bowlers while Shubman Gill had a great traninig session at Canberra after returning from the thumb injury.

"It was my first day (training) and I just wanted to get a feel to see how the injury is reacting, if there was any jarring or soreness.

"It actually went much better than I expected and I'm very happy with that," Shubman Gill told the BCCI media after the training. If the weather allows, Gautam Gambhir and management will be able to take a look at the young batter.

In his absensce, Devdutt Padikkal was given a chance in the first test, who failed to score big and Gill will surely come straight in the playing eleven. With Rohit coming back, KL Rahul will be pushed back in the middle order to strenthen the batting line up. 

For Australia, Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the pink-ball test due to side injury. He will be replaced by Scott Boland in the squad, who will play for the Primer Minister's XI as well. 

Both teams will play a 50-overs per side match.

Read Also | Indian captains to win POTM awards in Australia in Tests

Prime Minister's XI v India day two session times

Prime Minister's XI v India day two session times - sportzpoint.com

First innings: 9:10 am-12.40 pm IST

Interval: 12.40 pm-1.10 pm IST

Second innings: 1.10 pm- 4.40 pm IST

Squads for the Prime Minister's XI v India match

Prime Minister's XI squad: Jack Edwards (c), Charlie Anderson, Mahli Beardman, Scott Boland, Jack Clayton, Aidan O'Connor, Ollie Davies, Jayden Goodwin, Sam Harper, Hanno Jacobs, Sam Konstas, Lloyd Pope, Matthew Renshaw, Jem Ryan

India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, R Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.

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