On his T20I captaincy debut during the 2023 Visakhapatnam T20I against Australia, Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav set up a new record for the highest score by an Indian T20I captain on debut.
It was the first game of the five-match T20I series between the hosts India and the visitors Australia. During the same match, Suryakumar Yadav became the 13th Indian T20I captain. After winning the toss, the new Indian T20I skipper chose to field first.
Although Australia scored 208/3 in 20 overs, thanks to Josh Inglis’ 110 runs in 50 balls, the hosts were fearless at chasing. Despite losing both the openers for 22 runs before the completion of the third over, India chased down the target in 19.5 overs after losing eight wickets.
Highest score by an Indian T20I captain on debut: Suryakumar Yadav broke KL Rahul’s record
Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan and the captain Suryakumar Yadav had the massive roles to secure a great win for India in that game. While Kishan scored 58 runs in 39 balls (two fours and five sixes), Player of the Match Yadav scored 80 runs in 42 balls (nine fours and four sixes). They also had a 112-run partnership for the third wicket.
With his match-winning 80-run knock, Yadav recorded the highest score by an Indian T20I captain on debut. He was the only second Indian debutant T20I skipper to score 50+ runs, while KL Rahul was the first such Indian T20I captain with 62 runs against Afghanistan during the T20 Asia Cup 2022.
Indian T20I captains’ highest scores on their first innings
Player | Runs scored | Opposition | Venue | Date |
Suryakumar Yadav | 80 | Australia | Visakhapatnam | November 23, 2023 |
KL Rahul | 62 | Afghanistan | Dubai (DSC) | September 8, 2022 |
Shikhar Dhawan | 46 | Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | July 25, 2021 |
Virender Sehwag | 34 | South Africa | Johannesburg | December 1, 2006 |
MS Dhoni | 33 | Pakistan | Durban | September 14, 2007 |
Ajinkya Rahane | 33 | Zimbabwe | Harare | July 17, 2015 |
(Updated as of November 23, 2023)
