In cricket, a century is a score of 100 or more runs in a single innings by a batsman.[1] Scores of more than 200 runs are still statistically counted as a century, although these scores are referred to as double century (200–299 runs).[2] A double century is regarded as a landmark score for batsmen and a player's number of double centuries are generally recorded in their career statistics.[3] First-class cricket, the longest version of the game after Test cricket, involves two innings per side in a match and scheduled to last for up to three or more days.[4] An individual scoring a double century on his first-class debut is considered a notable achievement by critics.[5]
The first player to score a double century on first-class debut is English batsman Tom Marsden, who scored 227 runs in the second innings.[6] He achieved the feat on 26 July 1826, while playing for Sheffield & Leicester, against Nottingham during the 1826 English cricket season.[7] English batter David Sales made 210 runs in the third innings, while playing for Northamptonshire on 27 July 1996, against Worcestershire during the 1996 County Championship.[8] He did this at the age of 18 years 234 days, becoming the youngest player to score a double hundred on first-class debut,[9] and also in the County Championship.[10] Sakibul Gani of Bihar claimed the highest individual score in an innings on first-class debut till date, scoring 341 runs against Mizoram, on 18 February 2023, during the 2022–23 Ranji Trophy.[11] With this, he also became the first cricketer to hit a triple century on first-class debut.[12] Hanif Kunrai of Kunar Province scored 200 runs off 189 balls, recording the fastest double century in an innings on first-class debut.[13] He set the record on 17 February 2023, while playing against Kandahar Province, during the 2018–19 Mirwais Nika Provincial 3-Day.[14] The highest unbeaten score on first-class debut till date is 267, which has been achieved by Ajay Rohera of Madhya Pradesh in December 2018, against Hyderabad.[15] Indian batsman Gundappa Viswanath made 230 runs on his first-class debut, for Mysore against Andhra in the 1967–68 Ranji Trophy.[16] He also scored 137 runs on his Test debut, against Australia, on 20 November 1969.[17] With this, he became the first and only cricketer to score a double century on first-class debut as well as a century on Test debut.[18]
The feat has been accomplished by 25 players on 25 occasions as of December 2023. No batter has been able to score a double hundred in both innings on first-class debut so far. Mike Powell's score of 200* for Glamorgan against Oxford University, in June 1997, is the first and only instance of a player achieving the landmark on a losing cause.[19] 13 players from India have reached the milestone so far, the most for any country in the history.[20]
Key
| Notation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| * | The player remained not out |
| Inn. | The innings of the match in which the player scored his century |
| Date | The date on which the match began |
| Team | The team the batsman was representing |
| Opposition | The team the batsman was playing against |
| Venue | The cricket ground where the match was played |
| Result | Result for the team for which the double century was scored |