Cricket is the ultimate dream, and the debut match is always a momentous occasion.
While debuting brings immense joy, it also carries a certain level of nervousness. Throughout the history of the game, numerous great players have made their mark in ODI cricket, but only a select few have been able to truly display their potential in their very first ODI.
5. Colin Ingram – 124 vs Zimbabwe, Bloemfontein (2010)
Batting at No. 3, Ingram smashed 124 off 126 balls, which included eight sixes and two fours, guiding South Africa to a total of 351 runs. The Proteas won the match by 64 runs, with Ingram being named Player of the Match.
4. Mark Chapman – 124 vs UAE, Dubai (2015)
Now representing New Zealand, Mark Chapman made his ODI debut for Hong Kong in 2015 against the UAE in Dubai.
Chapman marked his debut with a brilliant unbeaten 124 off 116 balls, featuring 11 fours and two sixes. He shared a 90-run partnership with Nizakat Khan for the third wicket, helping Hong Kong post a competitive total of 298 runs.
Hong Kong won by 89 runs, and Chapman earned the Player of the Match award for his outstanding performance.
3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 127 vs Ireland, Abu Dhabi (2021)
Afghanistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz started his ODI career in spectacular fashion with a sensational century against Ireland in 2021 in Abu Dhabi.
Opening the innings, Gurbaz blasted 127 runs off 127 balls, including eight fours and nine sixes. His crucial 120-run stand with Javed Ahmadi helped Afghanistan post 287 runs.
Afghanistan won the thrilling match by just 16 runs.
2. Desmond Haynes – 148 vs Australia, St. John’s (1978)
In a game where only two batsmen crossed 30 runs, Haynes stood out, dominating the Australian attack and even forcing Jeff Thomson to concede 67 runs in his 10-over spell.
West Indies won by 44 runs, with Haynes’ exceptional knock being the highlight of the match.
1. Matthew Breetzke – 150 vs New Zealand, Lahore (2025)
On his ODI debut, South African opener Matthew Breetzke created history by scoring 150 runs off 148 balls against New Zealand in Lahore in 2025, setting the record for the highest individual score by a batsman on debut in ODI cricket.
Breetzke anchored the innings, supported by Jason Smith (41) and Wiaan Mulder (64), as South Africa posted 304 runs while batting first.