Which Indian batsman scored a century on Test debut and a fifty on one-day debut, both against the South Africans? (10 October 2001)

The venue: Durban, competing with the WACA, Perth, for the honour of fastest track in the world.

The occasion: The first test of India's 1992 tour to South Africa, playing South Africa's first home test since their return to international cricket.

The opposition: A lethal pace attack, including Allan Donald, Brett Schultz, Brian McMillan and Meyrick Pringle.

India, winning the toss and putting South Africa in to bat, faced a first innings
total of 254, composed largely of captain Kepler Wessels' score of 118. A disastrous start further saw the visitors tottering first at 38/4 and then at 146/7. Enter debutant
Pravin Amre. Batting with Kiran More, Amre scored 103, batting for 378 minutes, before being caught by Rhodes of McMillan. India went on to score 277 in the innings. Amre's innings made sure India would not lose the match, which was ultimately drawn by rain on the final two days.

Amre's one-day debut had come almost exactly one year earlier, when he played the first one-day international against South Africa at Calcutta. Again boosted by a fifty from Wessels, South Africa set India a total of 178 to win. Another top order collapse, leaving the home side at 20/3 and 60/4 at various stages, preceded an unhurried partnership between Ramakant Achrekar pupils Sachin Tendulkar and Amre. Amre scored 55 before becoming Donald's fifth wicket, falling with the score on 177 and having seen India to the front door of victory.

For more details on all the above facts check out [ StatsGuru ]

[Archive]