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All cricketers wish to have a dream debut in which they can showcase their talents. There have been 10 batsmen who have managed to score a century on ODI debut. Some of these cricketers in line with the saying, the First impression is the best. It’s any cricketer's dream to star for their country when he dons his nation's jersey for the very first time. 

As a batsman, that role ties in hitting the crucial runs, and there have many batsmen who have fulfilled these dreams from the get-go. While many went to have a successful international career, others did not quite manage to live up to the expectations placed on them.

Today we take a look at the top 5 scores by a batsman on debut in One Day International cricket.

Martin Guptill (122)

New Zealand’s opening batsman Martin Guptill made his one-day debut against the West Indies at Auckland in 2009 and made quite an impression scoring an unbeaten 122 off 135 balls. The right-hand batsman hit 8 boundaries and 2 sixes en route to his maiden century on debut. The Kiwis posted 275/4 in a match which didn’t produce any result due to consistent rain.

Martin Guptill New Zealand ODI
Martin Guptill (New Zealand)

Having played 119 ODIs scoring 4240 runs at an average of 41.16. The attacking Kiwi batsman has smashed 9 tons and 25 half-centuries and has become a dependable batsman for his team. Known for his short-arm pull, his most confident shot. He is one of the few players in the world who can play this shot as elegantly as it should be.

Mark Chapman (124)

Born in Hong Kong, but also having played for the nation of New Zealand. Mark Chapman is a well-known name in the game of cricket. All-rounder started his cricket career making his debut for Hong Kong against UAE in Dubai in 2015. The now 26-year-old scored an impressive 124 off 116 balls, consisting of 11 boundaries and 2 maximums. Hong Kong went onto win that match by an impressive 89 runs.

Mark Chapman hong Kong ODI
Mark Chapman (Hong kong/ New Zealand)

Since then the young cricketer has gone on to represent the Kiwis in international cricket having played 6 ODIs in total so far. Impressive far more in the shorter format of the game, he holds the experience of 30 T20Is, with many more to play. With a long career ahead of him, Mark Chapman possesses the talent to stand out in this game.

Colin Ingram (124)

The left-handed batsman, Colin  Ingram made his debut for South Africa against Zimbabwe at Bloemfontein in 2010 and didn't fail to impress, as he scored a classy 124 off 126 balls batting at number 3. His innings consisted of 8 boundaries and 2 maximums helping the Proteas post a mammoth 351/6, eventually winning the match by 64 runs. Ingram was declared the player of the match for his wonderful effort. 

Colin Ingram South Africa ODI
Colin Ingram (South Africa)

The now 35-year-old has played 31 ODIs for South Africa scoring 843 runs at an average of 32.42. He has made 3 hundred and 3 fifties with his career-best being his debut knock. Ingram now specializes in the shorter formats of the game, playing for leagues around the world.

Rahmatullah Gurbaz (127)

Afghanistan's keeper-batsman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz made his debut for the Afghanistan cricket team against Ireland earlier this year in 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Making quite an impression, the young batsman opening the innings scored 127 off 127 balls, consisting of 8 boundaries and 9 maximums. Afghanistan went onto win that match by 16 runs, and the debutant centurion was the Man of the match.

Rahmatullah Gurbaz Afghanistan ODI
Rahmatullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan)

Since then, the young player has gone on to play only two more ODIs, scoring a total of 180 runs and counting. With a long career ahead of him, Afghanistan looks to have a talented safe pair of hands behind the wicket for the coming years.

Desmond Haynes (148)

The legendary West Indian opener in his debut match against the Australians at St. John’s in Antigua in 1978, showcased his power and precision as he smashed 148 off just 136 balls consisting of 16 fours and 2 sixes. The Windies posted a total of  313/9 and won the match by 44 runs with the target being revised due to bad light. 

Desmond Haynes West Indies ODI
Desmond Haynes (West Indies)

Desmond Haynes played 238 ODIs scoring 8648 runs at an average of 41.37 producing 17 hundred and 57 fifties. The prolific opening partnership of Desmond Haynes with Gordon Greenidge is a part of cricketing folklore and is set as the benchmark for the future generation of openers around the world.

As players not looking to waste time looking to make huge impacts from the get-go. We could see a host of fearless players taking the field and looking to break records. Let us know in the comments which cricketer impressed you the most on their debut. 

**Stats are latest of June 22, 2021