In cricket, making a debut as captain is always a huge moment, filled with pressure and expectations. While many players struggle, a few rise to the occasion and make their mark in history. Scoring a century in their first Test match as captain is an extraordinary feat. In the past 10 years, only five cricketers have achieved this remarkable milestone. Let’s take a look at these players, including Indian legends, who made their captaincy debut memorable with a century.
1. Virat Kohli (India, 2014)
Virat Kohli, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers, took over the captaincy from MS Dhoni during the 2014 Test series against Australia. Kohli had big shoes to fill, but he rose to the occasion in his very first Test match as captain in Adelaide. Kohli played two magnificent innings, scoring 115 runs in the first innings and 141 runs in the second. His performance left a strong impression on cricket fans and showed that he was ready to lead the Indian team. Kohli became the first Indian captain to score centuries in both innings of his debut Test as captain.
2. Steve Smith (Australia, 2014)
Steve Smith, another modern-day cricketing giant, followed Kohli’s lead later that same year. Smith became the captain of the Australian Test team during the 2014 series against India. In his debut Test as captain at Brisbane, Smith displayed his class by scoring a brilliant 133 runs in the first innings. His knock led Australia to a commanding position, and it marked the beginning of a successful stint as one of the top Test captains for Australia.
3. Joe Root (England, 2017)
Joe Root, one of England’s finest batsmen, took over the Test captaincy from Alastair Cook in 2017. In his first match as captain, Root showed his batting brilliance by scoring a massive 190 runs against South Africa at Lord’s. His innings was filled with elegant strokes and resilience, proving that Root was not only a great batsman but also a capable leader. Root’s century on captaincy debut places him among the elite cricketers of his generation.
4. Craig Ervine (Zimbabwe, 2020)
Zimbabwe’s Craig Ervine might not be as famous as Kohli or Smith, but he too made an unforgettable start to his captaincy career. In 2020, Ervine led Zimbabwe in a Test match against Bangladesh. He played a crucial knock of 107 runs in the first innings, helping his team gain a strong foothold. Ervine’s hundred as captain put him in the company of greats who achieved this rare feat in their debut Test as skipper.
5. Nazmul Hasan Shanto (Bangladesh, 2023)
Nazmul Hasan Shanto became Bangladesh’s Test captain in 2023, and in his first match as captain against New Zealand, he achieved a remarkable milestone. While he couldn’t contribute much in the first innings, Shanto made a fantastic comeback in the second innings, scoring a brilliant 105 runs. His century proved his leadership qualities and gave Bangladesh a fighting chance in the match.
5 Sons of Legendary Cricketers Who Could Not Match Their Fathers’ Success in Cricket
These five cricketers, from different parts of the world, have left a lasting legacy by scoring centuries in their very first Test matches as captain. Their achievements not only helped their teams but also cemented their places in cricket history. Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, Craig Ervine, and Nazmul Hasan Shanto have all shown that stepping into the captaincy role can bring out the best in a player.
