Which Indian Cricketer Scored a Century on his Odi Debut?

Key Points

• KL Rahul is the only Indian cricketer known to have scored a century on his ODI debut.
• This achievement occurred on June 11, 2016, against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club.
• Research suggests no other Indian has matched this feat, based on available records up to June 2025.

Background

One Day International (ODI) cricket is a format where scoring a century on debut is rare and highly celebrated. For Indian cricketers, this milestone is particularly notable given the country’s rich cricket history.

The Achievement

KL Rahul scored an unbeaten 100 runs off 115 balls, including 7 fours and 1 six, leading India to a 9-wicket victory. This performance marked him as the first Indian to achieve this in ODI cricket.

Current Status

As of June 2025, no recent ODI matches for India suggest new debuts with centuries, reinforcing Rahul’s unique position.

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Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Indian Cricketers Scoring a Century on ODI Debut

This survey note provides a comprehensive examination of the query regarding Indian cricketers who have scored a century on their One Day International (ODI) debut. The analysis is grounded in extensive research, leveraging multiple credible sources to ensure accuracy and depth. The focus is on historical data, recent developments, and the context surrounding this rare achievement in cricket.

Historical Context and Significance

Scoring a century (100 runs or more) on an ODI debut is regarded as a significant achievement in cricket, highlighting a player’s potential and skill under pressure. Globally, as of February 2025, only 19 players from 11 different international teams have accomplished this feat, according to Wikipedia: List of centuries scored on One Day International cricket debut. For Indian cricketers, this milestone is particularly noteworthy given the competitive nature of the team and the high expectations placed on debutants.

The first recorded instance of a debutant scoring a century in ODIs was by England’s Dennis Amiss in 1972, with subsequent records set by players like Desmond Haynes of the West Indies in 1978. In the context of Indian cricket, no player had achieved this until 2016, underscoring the rarity of the feat.

KL Rahul’s Milestone

KL Rahul, a prominent Indian batsman, achieved this rare milestone on June 11, 2016, during his ODI debut against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club. According to TheCricketPanda: Which Indian Cricketer Scored a Century on His ODI Debut?, Rahul scored an unbeaten 100 runs off 115 balls, including 7 fours and 1 six. This performance was instrumental in India’s 9-wicket victory, showcasing his composure and ability to anchor the innings from the outset.

Detailed statistics from the match, as corroborated by OneCricket: How Many Indians Have Scored A Century In Their ODI Debut?, indicate that Rahul opened the innings and played a crucial role in chasing down Zimbabwe’s total of 168 runs. Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling performance, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs, complemented Rahul’s batting, but it was Rahul’s century that stole the spotlight.

The following table summarizes KL Rahul’s debut performance:

Batsman	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	S/R	Inn.	For	Against	Venue	Date	Result
KL Rahul †	100*	115	7	1	86.95	2	India	Zimbabwe	Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe	11 June 2016	Won

This table, extracted from the Wikipedia list, confirms Rahul as the sole Indian entry, reinforcing his unique status.

Verification and Exclusivity

To ensure completeness, research extended to examining whether other Indian cricketers might have achieved this feat. Historical figures like Kapil Dev, often cited in cricket discussions, were evaluated. Kapil Dev scored his first ODI century in 1983 during the World Cup against Zimbabwe, but this was not on his debut, which occurred in 1978. Quora discussions, such as Who was the first Indian cricketer to score a century in One Day Internationals?, sometimes confuse this, but careful analysis clarifies that his century was not on debut.

Multiple sources, including OneCricket and TheCricketPanda, consistently state that KL Rahul is the only Indian cricketer to score a century on his ODI debut. The Wikipedia list, browsed for verification, includes players from various nations but lists only Rahul for India, further supporting this conclusion.

Recent Developments and Future Considerations

Given the current date, June 3, 2025, it was necessary to check for any recent ODI debuts where an Indian player might have scored a century. Research into India’s 2025 ODI schedule, using sources like The Times of India: India’s ODI schedule and ESPNcricinfo: India Cricket Team Schedule, revealed no ODI matches scheduled for June 2025. The next ODI series listed is against Bangladesh in August-September 2025, indicating no recent opportunities for new debuts with centuries.

This absence of recent matches reinforces that, as of June 2025, KL Rahul remains the only Indian cricketer with this achievement. Future series, such as those against Australia and South Africa later in 2025, could potentially see new debuts, but no such instances have been recorded to date.

Conclusion

The evidence leans strongly toward KL Rahul being the only Indian cricketer to score a century on his ODI debut, achieved on June 11, 2016, against Zimbabwe. This conclusion is supported by comprehensive lists, match details, and the absence of recent contradictory data. The rarity of this feat, combined with Rahul’s performance, underscores its significance in Indian cricket history.

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Key Citations

• Wikipedia: List of centuries scored on One Day International cricket debut
• OneCricket: How Many Indians Have Scored A Century In Their ODI Debut?
• TheCricketPanda: Which Indian Cricketer Scored a Century on His ODI Debut?
• The Times of India: India’s ODI schedule
• ESPNcricinfo: India Cricket Team Schedule