Indian Cricket — ODI Debuts Against which team did Rahul Dravid make his One Day International (ODI) debut?
Correct Answer: Sri Lanka
Introduction / Context:Rahul Dravid's career milestones are classic exam fodder. While many remember his Test debut at Lord's in 1996, his ODI debut is a distinct event. This question differentiates candidates who know format-specific debuts from those who do not.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Player: Rahul Dravid (India).
- Asked: Opponent in Dravid's ODI debut.
- Multiple plausible Asian opponents are offered.
Concept / Approach:Use timeline alignment: Dravid broke into India's ODI setup shortly before/around his 1996 Test debut window. The Singer Cup/Asia contests around April 1996 featured Sri Lanka prominently.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Place Dravid's ODI debut in early April 1996.Step 2: Identify India's opponents in that tournament window.Step 3: Match opponent to the official record of Dravid's first ODI.Step 4: Choose the correct option.Verification / Alternative check:External summaries consistently list Sri Lanka as the opponent in Dravid's first ODI in April 1996 (Singapore event). This corroborates the selection.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Kenya: Dravid did not debut against an Associate side; Kenya featured later in tournaments.
- Pakistan: Common distractor due to frequent India–Pakistan ODIs in the 1990s.
- Australia: Not the debut opponent in 1996.
- None of the above: One listed choice is correct, so this is wrong.
Common Pitfalls:Mixing up Test and ODI debut details or assuming the debut was against Pakistan due to rivalry familiarity.
Final Answer:Sri Lanka