8 Indian players who won "Man of the match" on test debut

Yashasvi Jaiswal is the 8th Indian player to win "Man of the match" award on his Test debut.

Yashasvi Jaiswal recently became the 306th player to represent India in tests during the team's tour to the West Indies. The 21-year-old had an excellent start to his Test career as the youngster put up a show alongside captain Rohit Sharma. Jaiswal smashed 171 runs, helping India to go 1-0 up in the two-match Test series in West Indies.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was awarded the player of the match for this impressive run. He joined the elite list of Indians who grabbed the Player of the Match award on their debut. Pravin Amre was the first Indian to win the award way back in 1992. Shreyas Iyer was the last Indian man to clinch the award.

After Shreyas Iyer in 2021, Jaiswal became the first man to clinch the Player of the Match award on his debut. Apart from Jaiswal and Iyer, there are six other Indians who have returned with the award. The elite list also includes current Indian men's team captain Rohit Sharma and veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin. Notably, the last four players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal to win the Player of the Match award on their debut were all from Mumbai.

Here's the list of 8 Indian players who won "Man of the match" on test debut:

1. Pravin Amre - India vs South Africa, 1992:

India toured South Africa in 1992. In the first Test at Durban, Pravin Amre was handed his debut cap. The Indian batsman smashed a century on his debut and got out for 103. The middle-order batter added a 101-run stand with Kiran More to help India reach 277 after losing the top order cheaply. His knock helped the visiting side to Draw the Test. Amre was the first Indian to win the Player of the Match award on his debut.

2. RP Singh - India vs Pakistan Test, 2006

Indian pacer RP Singh made history by becoming just the second India with the Man of the match award on test debut. RP Singh's debut came against Pakistan in Faisalabad. The match, which was completely dominated by the batters, witnessed six centuries. Though the match ended in a draw, RP Singh's bowling stood out, and the debutant grabbed four wickets in the first innings and one wicket in the second.

3. R Ashwin - India vs West Indies, 2011

R Ashwin's Test debut came against West Indies in 2011 at Delhi. The Indian spinner played a major role in helping the team win the first Test by grabbing nine wickets in the Test. West Indies made 304 and reduced India to 209 in the first innings. In the second, Ashwin dominated with a six-wicket haul as the visitors collapsed for 180. India need 276 to win the game, and the team got there with ease to win by five wickets. 

12 years later, R Ashwin is still dominating the game and recently became the first Indian to pick up fifers in both innings in West Indies. 

4. Shikhar Dhawan - India vs Australia, 2013

Shikhar Dhawan's Test debut came in 2013 against Australia in Mohali. After Australia scored 408 runs in the first innings, India needed a huge start. The openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan helped the momentum to shift towards the home side with 289 runs partnership for the first wicket. Shikhar Dhawan made 187 runs from 174 deliveries and also completed his century in just 85 balls, which is record for the fastest test century on debut. Later, the Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan was adjudged "Man of the match" for his stellar performance. India defeated Australia by 6 wickets chasing a target of 134 runs.

5. Rohit Sharma - India vs West Indies, 2013

Rohit Sharma's Test debut happened in Eden Gardens in 2013 against West Indies, which is remembered for being the penultimate test of Sachin Tendulkar's career.. The current Indian captain smashed 177 runs while batting at number six for the team on his debut. Notably, R Ashwin also smashed a century in the match which helped them to win by an innings and 51 runs. India defeated the visitors by an innings and 51 runs when Rohit Sharma was named "Man of the match".

6. Prithvi Shaw - India vs West Indies, 2018

Prithvi Shaw made a head turn with his 134 on his debut against West Indies at Rajkot. Batting first, the Indian innings witnessed three centurions. Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja being the other two. The Indian bowlers dismissed West Indies cheaply in both innings to win by an innings and 272 runs. For his innings of 134, Shaw was named "Man of the match" on his debut against West Indies. Notably, Shaw has been out of the Indian team for two years now and his last international game came in 2021.

7. Shreyas Iyer - India vs New Zealand, 2021

Shreyas Iyer became the first ever Indian batsman to score a century and a half-century on test debut. His debut came against New Zealand in 2021 at Kanpur. India made 345 and 234/7 in the first and second innings respectively. New Zealand were set a target of 284, but the team managed to pluck a draw, courtesy of Rachin Ravindra's defence. Shreyas Iyer for his batting performance in the both innings, was named "Man of the match".

8. Yashasvi Jaiswal - India vs West Indies, 2023

Yashasvi Jaiswal became the most recent Indian to win a Man of the match" trophy on his Test debut. Jaiswal smashed 171 runs on his debut, helping India to win by an innings and 141 runs. After dismissing the home side for 150, India declared after making 421/5. Ashwin's seven-wicket haul helped India to clinch a massive victory in the first Test at Dominica.