As Shahbaz Nadeem stepped onto the field for the ongoing third Test between India and South Africa, he became the 296th Indian player to represent the country in Test cricket. After playing 110 first-class matches for Jharkhand, the left-arm spinner finally achieved his life-long dream of playing the longest format of the game. Co-incidentally, his debut also came at his home ground in Ranchi. The 30-year old cricketer was included in the playing XI in place of leading pacer Ishant Sharma.

Players who made their Test debuts on home ground

After Shahbaz Nadeem’s debut against South Africa, let’s take a look at three of the most famous Test debuts by cricketers on their home grounds.

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1.       Lawrence Rowe

Former West Indian cricketer Lawrence Rowe made his Test debut against New Zealand at his home ground in Kingston, Jamiaca. During New Zealand's tour of the Caribbean in 1972, the right-handed batsman smashed 214 at the top of the order. His innings comprised of 19 boundaries and one six as his herculean-effort propelled the home side to a solid first innings total of 508-4. He backed it up with an unbeaten 100 in the second innings to become the first cricketer to register a century and a double-century on debut.

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2.       Brendon Kuruppu

Kuruppu played just four Tests for Sri Lanka. However, the cricketer had a memorable debut in 1987 at his home ground in Colombo against New Zealand. The batsman scored 201 not out, accounting for more than half of Sri Lanka’s first innings total.

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3.       George Headley

Former West Indian batting great George Headley retired with a Test average of 60.83. One of the finest West Indian batsmen of all time, Headley made his debut against England at Bridgetown in 1930, which was his adopted home town in the West Indies as he was born in Panama. After a modest 21 in first innings, he scored a stroke-filled 176 in the second innings to smash the visitors all over the park.

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