Manchester, June 16 (UNI): All rounder Vijay Shankar became the first Indian to claim a wicket off the first ball in a World Cup cricket debut, that too against arch-rivals Pakistan in a high-voltage contest at Trent Bridge in England.
It was a feat which was unparalleled in the quadrennial event that started in 1975.
Seamer and swing bowler Shankar replaced Bhuvaneshar Kumar, the strike bowler for India and has been spearheading the challenge in this World Cup, after he walked off off the field following a harmstring injury, early in the Pakistan chase and as early as in the fifth over and his third over of the innings.
Bhuvaneswar walked off the field and Indian skipper Virat Kohli threw up the ball to Vijay Shankar to complete the over (remaining two balls).
And he came up trumps, bowling his first ball on his debut, Shankar trapped Imam-ul-Haq with a nip-backer that caught him front and the appeal was upheld by the umpire.
Pakistan did not prefer the DRS as Vijay was delighted and the rest of his teammates.
Imam walked off as India got a massive breakthrough, considering, that the neighbours were chasing an uphill 337 for victory in the crucial match.
India has never lost to Pakistan in a World Cup match.
Shankar bowled full, the ball swung back in a hint, and Haq was trapped in front. He scored just seven in 18 balls with a boundary, as India rejoiced and it was celebration time for an unique record, which no other bowler has achieved.
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