Pandya breaks sixes record on debut

Interestingly, Pandya was adjudged player of the match in his ODI debut for a 3-wicket haul against New Zealand. (Photo: AP)

The all-rounder played a blistering innings of 50 off 49 balls to enable India to post 600. (Photo: AP)

Pandya became only the fifth Indian debutant to score a Test half century batting at No. 8 or lower. (Photo: AP)

He also broke the Indian record for most number of sixes on Test debut. Pandya hit 3 sixes and 5 fours in his 49-ball knock. (Photo: AP)

Pandya put on a superb 62 run stand with Mohammed Shami for the ninth wicket to quash all Lankans hopes for a comeback in the match. (Photo: AP)

But Pandya like always proved his critics wrong in his first tryst with Test cricket. (Photo: AP)

When Hardik Pandya came into bat at No. 8 on his debut Test at Galle, India were just shy of 500. A few questions were also raised about his batting position, which many felt was lower than it should have been. (Photo: AP)

Pandya did not seem too concerned though as he came into his own when India started to lose quick wickets at the other end. (Photo: AP)

A few eyebrows were raised when Hardik Pandya was handed over his Test cap in the first India-Sri Lanka Test at Galle as many believed Kuldeep Yadav or Ishant Sharma would have been a better choice.