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Usama Mir (Photo Source : Twitter)

Receiving a debut international cap is one of the best things to happen in any professional cricketer’s career. In the last few months, some players have got a chance from their respective national teams to make their maiden appearances in international cricket. Among the debutants, some grabbed the opportunity with both hands and delivered impactful numbers to their teams.

However, some debutants couldn’t showcase their potential during their debut stints. Earlier, these names played excellent cricket in domestic cricket and their diligence paid off. Consequently, they were successful in getting selectors’ attention and broke into the international circuit.

After amassing experience in domestic cricket, it was their turn to shine at the international level as well. However, some names that couldn’t utilise the opportunity will look for another chance from their team management. On the other other hand, players who performed exceptionally will strive to maintain their healthy runs in the upcoming assignments.

Here are five cricketers who made their debut recently in the international circuit

5. Usama Mir

Usama Mir (Photo Source : Twitter)

In January 2023, leg-spinner Usama Mir was named in Pakistan’s three-match One Day International (ODI) squad against New Zealand. Noting his decent domestic record, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) showed faith in the 27-year-old to reinforce the spin attack.

The talented leggie featured in the first ODI against the Black Caps, which was held in Karachi. Playing his debut match, Mir picked up the scalps of Kane Williamson and Tom Latham and ended up his 10-over spell with 2/42 figures. In his team’s comfortable six-wicket victory, Mir played his part brilliantly with his economical bowling.

In his debut series, he ended up with four wickets in three matches at an economy of 4.83. While talking about his overall numbers so far, the 27-year-old has played six ODIs for Men in Green, in which he has claimed 10 wickets at an economy of 5.29, with his best bowling figures of 4/43. 

4. KS Bharat

KS Bharat Batting. (Photo Source : Twitter)

In the absence of Rishabh Pant, KS Bharat got selected for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23 to keep wickets and solidify India’s batting order. The 29-year-old got the first match of his international career against Australia in the opening Test in Nagpur. In the inaugural match of the competition, India sealed a comprehensive 132-run and an innings victory.

However, for Bharat, it wasn’t a great game as the wicketkeeper batter could chip in with only eight runs in his team’s massive win. At the end of the series, India emerged victorious by a 2-1 margin but Bharat couldn’t do big with his bat, scoring only 101 runs in six innings of four matches. 

Despite noting Bharat’s average outings, selectors have selected him in India’s 15-member squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia to be conducted at the Oval, London. 

3. Rahul Tripathi

Rahul Tripathi. (Photo Source: BCCi)

Rahul Tripathi is a renowned name in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In his league career, he has showcased his mettle several times with his match-winning knocks. Noting his superb form in the 2022-23 domestic season, selectors named him in India’s 16-member T20 international team against Sri Lanka.

For the 29-year-old, it was a perfect opportunity to display his batting talent and cement his place in the team, but he failed to turn up against the opponents with only 40 runs in two matches of the series, at a strike rate of 190.47. His next assignment was against the Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand in T20Is. 

This time too, the right-handed batter couldn’t justify his role in the team with his underwhelming batting display. Piling up only 57 runs in three matches at a below-par strike rate of 123.91, he failed to live up to the expectations. Thus far, Tripathi has accumulated only 97 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 144.77. 

2. Todd Murphy

Todd Murphy. (Photo Source: BCCI)

After the conclusion of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23, Australia failed to clinch a Test series in India after 20 years but during the competition, they got an incredible talent that could become an asset for them in the future. In the opening Test held at Nagpur, Australia believed in Todd Murphy and inducted him in their squad to add strength to their spin-bowling unit.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the off-spinner delivered a dazzling show with the ball in his first international appearance. Bagging seven wickets on the turning Nagpur track, he emerged as the only impactful performer for the visitors in the match. In his stunning spell, he also dismissed India’s batting maestros Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara.

Despite his fabulous bowling, Australia couldn’t put pressure on the hosts and eventually lost the game by an innings and 132 runs. In Australia’s unsuccessful campaign in the sub-continent nation, the 22-year-old became his team’s second-most successful bowler with 14 wickets in six innings of four matches. 

1. Abrar Ahmed

Abrar Ahmed. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Pakistan had a tough home season (2022-23) in red-ball cricket as England whitewashed them in three-match Test series. However, from those dark and gloomy days, they got a bright spark named Abrar Ahmed, who displayed his efficiency to the nation in his first international assignment.

After losing the first Test, the Pakistan team management included the leg-spinner in the playing XI for the second contest. In the intriguing Test match at the Multan Cricket Stadium, the visitors tasted the triumph by 26 runs but Ahmed powered the hosts with his sensational bowling. Picking up 7/114 and 4/120 figures, respectively. Moreover, he became the highest wicket-taker in the match. 

At the end of the three-match Test series, Ahmed came out as the leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps in four innings of two matches. Since his debut match, he has taken 28 wickets in eight innings of four matches, with his best bowling innings of 7/114 against England in his maiden appearance.