What are the best IPL debut performances?


IPL 2023 Winner

There’s nothing like a dream debut to light up the IPL—when a player walks in and says “Hi, I’m here to break the league.” 🫡

Here are some of the best and most unforgettable debut performances in IPL history, where players made instant impact and etched their names in memory:

🌟 Best IPL Debut Performances of All Time

1. 💥 Alzarri Joseph – 6/12 (MI vs SRH, 2019)

  • Bowling figures: 3.4 overs, 6 wickets for 12 runs

  • The best-ever bowling figures in IPL history—on debut!

  • Blew away SRH’s chase with raw pace and fire.

📉 SRH went from cruise to crash in 10 balls. Unforgettable.

2. 🚀 Brendon McCullum – 158 (KKR vs RCB, 2008)*

  • The first-ever IPL match.

  • McCullum went nuclear: 158* off 73 balls, with 13 sixes.

  • Set the tone for what IPL would become—a six-fest spectacle.

🧨 The knock that launched a billion-dollar league.

3. 🧨 Devdutt Padikkal – 56 (RCB vs SRH, 2020)

  • Calm, composed 56 off 42 on debut.

  • Showed class, timing, and maturity way beyond his years.

  • Became a consistent top-order performer for RCB.

⚡ Not flashy, just classy.

4. 🛡️ Mayank Markande – 3/23 (MI vs CSK, 2018)

  • A young leggie spinning a web against CSK in his first game?

  • Took key wickets including Dhoni.

  • Announced himself as one to watch.

🕸️ Unexpected hero with the googly trick.

5. 🔥 Ankeet Chavan – 2/23 + 18 (RR vs KXIP, 2012)*

  • Solid all-round debut in a tight chase.

  • Bowled economically, then finished the match with the bat.

💪 Underrated, but very effective under pressure.

6. 🧊 Asif Ali – 2/14 (CSK vs RR, 2018)

  • Bowling debut in the death overs for CSK, no big deal right?

  • Took crucial wickets, held his nerve, helped CSK win a thriller.

🧠 Dhoni trusted him. He delivered.

7. 💎 Varun Chakravarthy – 5/20 (KKR vs DC, 2020)

  • Technically his second season but first real chance to play.

  • Delivered a magical spell with mystery spin.

  • Announced himself as a key KKR asset.

🎭 From net bowler to match-winner.

8. 🚀 Abhishek Sharma – 46 off 19 (DD vs RCB, 2018)*

  • Came in as an unknown 17-year-old.

  • Smashed RCB bowlers all over in death overs.

  • Put himself on the map instantly.

🧨 No fear, all fire.

🏁 Final Thought:

IPL debuts aren’t just about starting—they’re about arriving. These performances said:
👉 “I belong here.”