These are among the most unique records in Indian cricketing history!
The history of Indian Test cricket is illustrious, with India being a batting powerhouse for many years. The country has produced numerous legendary Test cricketers. Test cricket is considered the purest and highest form of the game, challenging both the skill and temperament of players. Every cricketer dreams of wearing the white jersey for their nation. There have been several instances where players shone brilliantly in their debut Test match but couldn't sustain that success for various reasons. In this feature, we will highlight five Indian batsmen whose debut century remained their only Test century.
Suresh Raina, a former senior Indian batting all-rounder, debuted in Test cricket against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2010, scoring an impressive 120 runs with 12 fours and 2 sixes. Despite this strong start, Raina played only 18 Test matches, amassing 768 runs at an average of 26.48. His technique, particularly against short balls, was unsuited for Test cricket, leading to inconsistent performances. Raina played his last Test in 2015 against Australia in Sydney and retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020.
The most notable name among Indian batsmen whose debut century was their last is Lala Amarnath. A legendary all-rounder, WWII, selectors' bias, and internal team politics curtailed Lala's career. Despite these challenges, he achieved significant milestones: India's first Test centurion and the first captain of an independent India. Lala debuted against England in 1933, scoring 118 runs in his second inning. He played 24 Tests, scoring 878 runs, including one century and four half-centuries, and taking 45 wickets, including Don Bradman. Though his international career was short, it was illustrious.
Lala Amarnath before his historic debut
Deepak Shodhan made history as the first Indian batsman to score a century in his debut Test innings, achieving the milestone against Pakistan at Kolkata's Eden Gardens in December 1952. Batting at number eight, he crafted a brilliant 110 runs, adorned with 15 fours. However, Shodhan's subsequent Test career saw no further centuries. Despite his talent, his abrupt exclusion from the team remains shrouded in mystery, often attributed to selectors' whims. He played just three Tests, amassing 181 runs at an impressive average of 60.33.
Surinder Amarnath joins his father in the select group of Indian batsmen whose debut century marked their final Test century. Hailing from the esteemed Amarnath family, Surinder, like his father Lala, brought honour to Indian cricket. Debuting on January 24, 1976, Surinder emulated his father's feat by scoring a splendid 124 against New Zealand in Auckland. However, this innings remained his sole Test century. In a brief Test career spanning 10 matches, Surinder amassed 550 runs in 18 innings, including one century and three half-centuries.
Pravin Amre's career as an Indian wicketkeeper batsman commenced in spectacular fashion during the 1992–93 South Africa tour. Facing formidable bowlers like Alan Donald and Brian McMillan on a lightning-fast Durban pitch, Amre notched a century in his debut Test, becoming India's ninth batsman to achieve this feat. Despite scoring one century and three fifties in his 11 Tests, Amre was inexplicably dropped from the team. With 425 runs at an impressive average of 42.50, his Test career spanned from November 1992 to August 1993, a mere 10 months.
The game of test cricket is so challenging that this feat is nearly impossible to achieve in any other format of the game.
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