Sai Sudharsan made his Check debut for India within the first fixture of the five-match collection in opposition to England on Friday, June 20, at Headingley in Leeds. The southpaw reaped rewards of his sturdy method and consistency within the home circuit.
It’s an honor for each participant to get their Check cap, regardless of the rising recognition of the shortest format. Notably, Sudharsan joined an esteemed listing of Indian gamers who made their Check debuts on June 20.
Let’s check out the complete listing of gamers to kick off their red-ball careers on this date.
#1 Rahul Dravid (1996)
Rahul Dravid’s Check debut got here on June 20, 1996, in opposition to England at Lord’s. In his solely innings within the sport, Dravid performed a spirited knock of 95 off 267 because the match ultimately resulted in a draw.
Rahul Dravid performed his final Check match in 2012, after having amassed 13,288 runs in 164 appearances, with 36 centuries and 63 fifties. His finest knock of 270 got here in opposition to Pakistan at Rawalpindi in 2004.
#2 Sourav Ganguly (1996)
Sourav Ganguly additionally made his Check debut together with Rahul Dravid on June 20, 1996. Ganguly got here at No. 3 and impressed together with his potential to deal with stress. The southpaw went on to slam 131 off 301 as India secured a first-innings lead and the sport ended as a draw.
Ganguly had an illustrious Check profession, the place he additionally led the Indian crew in 49 video games. He garnered 7,212 runs in 113 video games, with 16 centuries and 35 fifties. He registered his high rating of 239 in opposition to Pakistan at Bengaluru in 2007.
#3 Virat Kohli (2011)
Virat Kohli’s Check debut got here on June 20, 2011, in opposition to the West Indies in Kingston. Kohli failed within the sport, returning with scores of 4 & 15. Nevertheless, the Indian crew received the sport by 63 runs.
Kohli not too long ago introduced his retirement from the longest format of the sport, ending up with 9,230 runs in 123 video games. His tally comprised 30 centuries and 31 fifties, with one of the best knock of 254* coming in opposition to South Africa at Pune in 2019.
Furthermore, Virat Kohli is essentially the most profitable Indian Check captain with 40 wins in 68 video games. Beneath his management, India remained the highest crew from the 2016-17 to the 2020-21 season.
#4 Abhinav Mukund (2011)
Abhinav Mukund made his Check debut alongside Virat Kohli in Kingston. The southpaw returned with scores of 11 & 25 as India received the sport by 63 runs.
Mukund might solely function in seven Assessments, together with his final look coming in 2017. The left-hander garnered 320 runs in seven video games, with two fifties. Curiously, Mukund’s most interesting knock of 81 got here in his last Check in opposition to Sri Lanka, serving to India to win by 304 runs.
#5 Praveen Kumar (2011)
Praveen Kumar is one other Indian participant who made his debut on June 20, 2011, together with Virat Kohli and Abhinav Mukund. The proper-arm pacer was an skilled campaigner by this level, having made his ODI debut in 2007.
Praveen bagged six wickets within the sport, recording figures of three/38 and three/42 within the two innings, respectively, and enjoying a key position in India’s 63-run victory.
Praveen Kumar featured in solely six Check matches in his profession, all of them coming in 2011. He picked up 27 wickets, with one of the best match figures of seven/169 coming in opposition to England in Nottingham.
#6 Sai Sudharsan (2025)
Sai Sudharsan will bat at No. 3 for the Indian crew within the ongoing Check fixture in opposition to England at Headingley. Sudharsan has scored 1,957 runs in 29 first-class video games at a mean of 39.93, with seven centuries and 5 fifties.
Sudharsan not too long ago emerged because the Orange Cap winner in IPL 2025, with 759 runs in 15 video games at a mean of 54.21. His present kind, conventional strokeplay and adaptableness have been the important thing causes behind his maiden Check call-up.
It’s value noting that Sai Sudharsan has scored 127 runs in three ODIs at a mean of 63.50.
Edited by Sankalp Srivastava

