5 debutants who had a brilliant start to their career against India

4. Alastair Cook- 2006

In the spring of 2006, the English Test team were preparing for a gruelling three-match rubber in India when they were dealt with a body blow when champion opener Marcus Trescothick pulled out from the series in order to address his mental-health related issues.

In hindsight, it probably turned out to be blessing in disguise for England as, in Alastair Cook, they found a batsman, who would go on and break almost every English batting record in years to follow.

That Cook was a gritty batsman, who placed a high value on his wicket and believed in batting for hours and hours and hours, was pretty evident from his debut Test match in Nagpur.

The left-hander scored a patient 60 in his maiden innings and backed it up with a three-figure in the second (104 off 243 balls) as England assumed a position of strength in what eventually turned out to be a drawn fixture.

Cook finished the series -183 runs in 2 matches at an average of 61- with his reputation well-and-truly enhanced and added himself into the long and esteemed list of left-handed debutants who have thrived against the Men in Blue.