Meet India’s New Test Faces debuting in Test Series Against England

Remember that epic India-Australia series a few years back, where a whole bunch of new guys got their Test caps? Well, guess what? Lightning just struck twice!  The current Test series against England is making history again, this time with not one, not two, a whopping FIVE Indian players making their grand debut in the sport’s most traditional format.

Let’s meet these exciting rookies and see what they bring to the table!

Rajat Patidar

First up, we have Rajat Patidar, a batsman who usually starts the innings. He got his Test cap (number 310,) from the legendary Zaheer Khan, during the second test on February 2nd in Vizag. Though his scores weren’t massive (32 and 9), anyone watching could see the raw talent. He played some impressive shots, hinting at a bright future. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye on him to see if he explodes next time!

Dhruv Jurel

Meet Dhruv Jurel, a wicket-keeper batsman who got his Test cap (number 311) from the experienced Dinesh Karthik during the third Test in Rajkot on February 15, 2024. Unlike some newbies who get nervous, Jurel looked cool as a cucumber. He smashed a fantastic 46 runs off 104 balls with three sixes in his very first innings. That’s no small feat for a debutant! This debut showed he has the temperament and skills to handle the pressure cooker of international cricket.

Sarfaraz Khan

The middle order just got a whole lot more exciting with the arrival of Sarfaraz Khan. This young batsman got his cap (number 312) during the Rajkot Test, presented by none other than the legendary Anil Kumble. And boy, did he make an entrance! He got the start that many players dream of, by scoring fifties in BOTH innings! That’s right – 62 runs off 66 balls in the first innings and an unbeaten 68 off 72 balls in the second. Twin fifties on your debut? Now, that’s a story we all want to hear again. This twin-fifty feat has everyone buzzing about his immense potential. We can’t wait to see him bat again!

Akash Deep

Fast bowler alert! Akash Deep, a promising fast bowler, received his cap (number 313) from none other than Rahul Dravid during the fourth Test in Ahmedabad on February 23rd. And talk about making an entrance – he took down the first three wickets of the England top order in no time.  His raw pace and swing were seriously impressive.  Deep’s debut has made him an instant name in international cricket, and cricket experts are already singing his praises.

Devdutt Padikkal

Last, but definitely not least, we have Devdutt Padikkal, an aggressive left-handed batsman.  He got his cap (number 314) from the spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin, who’s coincidentally playing his 100th Test in the fifth and final Test at Dharamsala! Padikkal stepped in for the injured Rajat Patidar. With his explosive batting style, having scored over 2000 runs in domestic cricket, now he has the chance to showcase his skills on the biggest stage. All eyes are on him to see if he can shine on the big stage.

These five rookies are proof that India is dead serious about building a powerhouse team for the future. They’re not just throwing them into the deep end; they’re letting them swim alongside the experienced sharks. Only time will tell how their careers unfold, but one thing’s for sure – their debuts have added a whole new dimension of excitement to this already thrilling Test series!