Making a debut for India is arguably the pinnacle of any cricketer’s existence, but making a debut against Australia is akin to trial by fire. Australia is renowned for its aggression, pace attack, and, above all, mental warfare. They push all newcomers and debutants towards challenging themselves on their maiden appearance like no other country has. Indian players have taken debut matches against Australia and turned them into defining moments of skill and bravery.
From fearless batting, court-court catches, and impactful bowling spells, here are some of the Indian cricketers who made a debut against Australia across formats for India and made an impression from ball one.
1. Mayank Agarwal – Calm Under Pressure (Test, 2018)
As India needed a fresh opener for the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Mayank Agarwal made his debut at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day.
To begin a career without facing Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins under a bright Australian sky is not how most players would envision starting a career. However, Mayank batted with poise far beyond what one would expect, scoring 76 runs in the first innings, the highest for an Indian playing as a debutant in Australia.
He left well, defended resolutely, and attacked when necessary, as he enacted his role in setting up a resounding victory that fed into India’s path to their first-ever victory in a series down under. Agarwal’s debut demonstrated that India had discovered a technically gifted opener who could be successful in overseas conditions.
Highlight: 76 on debut at the MCG was crucial for India’s path to victory in the 2018 Boxing Day Test.
2. Thangarasu Natarajan—From Net Bowler to National Hero
No narrative embodies the romance of cricket better than Thangarasu Natarajan’s journey during India’s 2020-21 tour of Australia. Natarajan was picked as a net bowler and found himself making his debut in all three formats, something extraordinarily never done in Indian cricket history.
- ODI Debut: 3rd ODI, Canberra—took 2 wickets, including Marnus Labuschagne
- T20I Debut: 1st T20I, Sydney—3/30, with plenty of yorkers!
- Test Debut: 4th Test, Brisbane – 3 wickets, including the dismissal of a couple of key Australian batters.
His composure and control under pressure endeared him to fans around the world. Natarajan had come from difficult beginnings at Salem, Tamil Nadu, and his fairytale debut gave hope to many youngsters aspiring to play cricket from small towns.
In summary: The first player in history to debut in all formats on a single tour against Australia!
3. Jasprit Bumrah – The Spark of a New Era (ODI & T20I, 2016)
Jasprit Bumrah first distinguished himself in international cricket during the 2016 tour of Australia before developing into one of the most successful bowlers in world cricket.
He debuted in ODIs in Sydney, with figures of 2/40, and then shortly after debuted in the T20I format in Adelaide, where he got the wickets of David Warner and James Faulkner with unplayable yorkers.
Bumrah’s unusual action, accuracy, and understated attitude quickly gained the attention of the cricket world. It took just a few months for him to become India’s top limited-overs bowler. It was during his debut series vs Australia in Australia when India-esque fast bowling changed forever; fast bowlers in India were now fast, accurate, and disciplined.
Highlight: 5 wickets in ODI & T20I debut matches in Australia, a turning point in India’s pace attack.
4. Washington Sundar—The Unexpected All-Rounder (Test, 2021)
When several Indian players sustained injuries before the Brisbane Test (2020-21), the selectors leaned on Washington Sundar, primarily a white-ball bowler and absent from any red-ball cricket for almost three years.
This, however, counted for very little, as Sundar astounded everyone on debut. He bowled very well and took the wicket of Steve Smith before batting so calmly under pressure and scoring a critical 62 runs with Shardul Thakur.
His maturity and steadiness enabled India to build a solid total and build on India’s historic 2-1 series triumph. Sundar’s debut indicated the strength of Indian cricket has a number of players that can step up and perform at the highest level in times of crisis.
Highlight: 62 runs and the wicket of Steve Smith on debut at The Gabba, the Test match India famously won.
5. Yashasvi Jaiswal – The Fearless New Generation (Test, 2024)
Yashasvi Jaiswal, one of India’s most talented young players, made his Test debut against Australia with the confidence of a much more seasoned professional. He is aggressive beyond belief (but elegant) in his stroke-play and did not shy away from facing a world-class Australian bowling attack. He showed composure and intent in scoring a century on debut with elegant strokes, exceptional timing, and an admirable ability to handle pace and spin with equal measure. Jaiswal’s innings declared the arrival of the next superstar of Indian batting: fearless, technically proficient, and solid mentally.
While scoring a twenty on debut was impressive to watch … it was about attitude, too. He has no preconception or fear against Cummins or Lyon, and it is a sign of good news for the future of Indian batting. And it can be said that Indian batting has a very bright future under Jaiswal.
Highlight: A century on debut vs. Australia—a statement of intent from India’s next big star!
What Makes These Debuts Special
Whenever you play against Australia, it will never be just another game. It’s a test of mentality, skill, and self-belief. Each of the players took their respective India caps because they fundamentally shared a few key attributes:
- Fearlessness: Agarwal entering the fray against short balls; Jaiswal hitting from ball one; neither player looked troubled.
- Preparation: Each player entered their debut well prepared, both technically and mentally.
- Calmness: Debuts cause nerves, but all players showed calmness beyond their age.
- Adaptability: They all adapted to conditions. Natarajan’s swing, Bumrah’s yorkers, and Sundar’s patience in this regard applied.
For their performances, it underlines how the culture of Indian cricket has changed; it is neither a reactive one nor a confident and prepared culture.
The Bigger Picture—India’s Depth and Development
These meaningful debuts not only produced fresh names in headline stories; they also exemplified the strength in the Indian player pool.
- Bowling Revolution: Bumrah and Natarajan’s debut heralded a transition to India, the fast-bowling behemoth.
- All-Round Balance: Sundar made India rethink a reliance on young all-rounders and the success they can deliver in Test cricket.
- Top Order Refresh: Agarwal and Jaiswal provided a solid and attacking top order for India’s future.
That many of these impactful and meme-able debuts occurred in Australia, arguably the hardest environment in world cricket, is a testament to how far Indian cricket has journeyed in developing adaptable and fearless cricketers.
Conclusion
From Mayank Agarwal’s tenacity to Natarajan’s fairytale run, and from Bumrah’s searing spells to Jaiswal’s century, these debuts against Australia form a larger narrative of hope, preparation, and evolution. Each of these players not only launched their careers, but they also transformed the next phase of Indian cricket, a phase no longer fearful of Australia, but looking forward to the challenge. Whether it be Pujara in Melbourne, Natarajan in Sydney, or Gill, Sharma, and now Jaiswal in Brisbane, India’s debutants are showing they belong on the greatest stages. With the scintillating next generation also starting to arrive, the contest between India and Australia will remain one of the great theaters of cricket for many years to come.