One of the most-awaited debuts of recent times took place in Hamilton on Thursday, but such was India’s performance that the fourth ODI against New Zealand will actually be remembered for a rather dubious reason.

That being the express-speed finish — even before the scheduled close of the first innings! India got spanked by eight wickets, with as many as 35.2 overs remaining.

Conditions were challenging and, on a day of big failures, teenaged Shubman Gill surely cannot be judged on his 9 on debut.

Trent Boult, after all, was in the midst of a spell which most new-ball bowlers only dream of.

There are bound to be days when Shubman will tick all the boxes. Till then, it’s worth recalling what the much-respected former captain of England, Michael Vaughan, had to say in the lead-up to the ongoing five-match series.

Specifically, Vaughan picked Shubman and the record-creating Rishabh Pant as potential “superstars” in the years going forward.

“Just look at the talent India have... The battery of fast bowlers, the quality of batsmen that come to the crease... India will dominate...

“India have a young and fresh group, ready to win quite a few series...

“Thanks to the IPL, immense talent comes to the fore and I have high expectations from Pant and Gill. In fact, I see both Gill and Pant as superstars in the making...

“I also rate (quick) Shivam Mavi very highly,” Vaughan told The Telegraph in Melbourne on the last day of India’s trophy-collecting tour of Australia which preceded this trip to New Zealand.

Shubman Gill Telegraph file picture

Vaughan, who has a massive following on social media, added: “Prithvi Shaw is another wonderful talent... To get a Test hundred on debut at 18 years of age speaks a lot about his ability...

“Look, there’s depth in India’s cricket, with quality coming through. Which is why I expect India to be at the top of the tree for the next few years, at least...

“Shaw, Pant, Gill... Mavi.”

Vaughan, in any case, is among the many admirers of Virat Kohli and he sees him as a leader, not merely the India captain across all three formats. In Vaughan’s dictionary, there’s a clear distinction between the two.

Both Shubman and Shivam were members of the 2018 U-19 World Cup-winning XI. They are in the same IPL franchise, the Kolkata Knight Riders, as well.

Shubman got his maiden India call-up after a string of highly-impressive scores for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy (728 runs at a phenomenal average of 104.00).

As this is a World Cup year, one asked Vaughan to name the most fancied team. His response: “England, at home, are the favourites. But it could get close... India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand are the other teams to watch out for...

“I don’t expect such an eventuality, but if England don’t make the semi-finals, it will be disastrous for the country... Taking into account the team and the bit about playing in our own backyard.”

Most will agree with Vaughan’s take.