Meet The Top 10 Youngest IPL Debutants

Although IPL is the most competitive cricket league in the world where sometimes world class players like Kane Williamson, Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, Heinrich Klassen had to sit on the bench for their respective teams in the past.

But as we say, India is filled with talented cricketers from every street, where some young players with very little experience have played their first-ever IPL match in such a big league, holding their nerves. Some of them have now become superstars of world cricket.

It’s interesting to note how some of the youngest players in the IPL have replaced big international cricket stars due to their impressive performances. These emerging talents have outperformed many established players, both batsmen and bowlers.

Hence, let’s find out the top 10 youngest players of IPL who made their debut in Indian Premier League at a very early age of their career.

Top 10 Players To Make IPL Debut In Young Age

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1) Ray Barman – 16y-157 days

Most of you might not even remember this young lad named Ray Barman who was a left arm spinner, made his debut for RCB in 2019 season.

The record of youngest player to play in IPL is still owned by former RCB player called Ray Barman as he played his first match of his ipl career at the age of 16 years and 157 days old only, although his performance was not upto the mark in his debut game.

Ray Barman got only one match in 2019 IPL where he conceded 56 runs in his 4 overs of spell without any wickets. After one bad performance, the management did the typical RCB thing by removing him and not giving any other chance in the rest of the games.

2) Mujeeb Ur Rahman – 17y-11 days

Afghanistan’s young mystery leg spinner who got a decent amount of recognition in his initial years of ipl seasons. Mujeeb Ur Rahman became the 2nd youngest player of ipl when he played his first ipl game for PBKS at the age of 17y & 11 days old.

So far He has represented Punjab kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad but due to suffering from several injuries he had to miss out last few IPL seasons, which is the reason haven’t seen him in the action in Indian Premier League.

Moreover, Coming from a nation where cricket is not much popular with lack of resources, he managed to make his unique identity and became one of the finest leg spinner in white ball and league cricket.

3) Riyan Parag – 17y-152 days

Former under 19 world cup winner, Riyan Parag was picked by Rajasthan Royals for his all-round performance in 2019 when he was only 17 years 152 days old and given consistent chances by RR to showcase his skills.

Riyan Parag being the 3rd youngest ipl player has faced too much troll and criticism for his immature batting and attitude on the field in the from 2019 to 2023. But the young lad made his biggest comeback of life by becoming the match winner of Rajasthan Royals in ongoing 2024 IPL.

Currently Riyan Parag is 22 years old, but the way he showed calmness and temperament in his batting in 2024 IPL is just unbelievable. Currently he is only youngest ipl player who is playing consistently for his team and delivering impactful performances.

4) Pradeep Sangwan – 17y-179 days

Left arm fast bowler, Pradeep Sangwan who used to play with Virat Kohli in the Delhi state team during his childhood days holds 4th place as youngest ipl player while playing for Delhi Daredevils back in 2008 inauguration season at the age of 17y/179 days old.

Furthermore, Pradeep Sangwan is now 33 years old where he played under a couple of IPL franchises from 2008-2023 such as DD, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, KKR, and for GT in 2023 IPL.

I personally still don’t understand the reason why he didn’t get backed enough by IPL teams. Being a left arm pacer, He had a pretty good ipl record where he got 38 wickets in 42 IPL games with 8.69 economy.

5) Sarfaraz Khan – 17y-182 days

I still remember, there was a guy who created a hype among the big names of RCB batting order in 2015 for his courageous del scoop shots against pace bowlers. Yes, I am talking about Sarfaraz Khan who played a finisher role at a very young age for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The fact that Sarfaraz Khan was only 17y and 182 days old yet he was smacking the peak fast bowlers of IPL during 2015-16 seasons. Even Virat Kohli once stood up and gave applause to Sarfaraz for playing some incredible shots in the slog overs.

6) Washington Sundar – 17y-199 days

 

Coming from Tamil Nadu, Washington Sundar who is currently Indian team all-rounder and known for his sensational knocks during BGT 2021 In Australia, makes his name in the list of youngest cricket player to play in the IPL.

If you remember, earlier there was a T20 league called TNPL (Tamil Nadu Premier League) where Washington Sundar made back to back 4 half centuries along with a couple of wickets. That was the point when Rising Pune Supergiants got impressed and bought him in the team in 2017 at the age of 17 years and 199 days old.

7) Rahul Chahar – 17y-247 days

 

The younger brother of Deepak Chahar, Rahul Chahar, saw his fortunes take a dramatic turn when RPSG provided him with the opportunity to play under MS Dhoni in 2017, where he emerged as a prominent leg spinner for the team.

Right from his debut game in the IPL, Rahul Chahar showcased his mastery with unplayable googlies, deceiving numerous star batsmen and gaining the initial confidence of his career. Just to remind you, Rahul Chahar was only 17 years and 247 days old when he began receiving praise from every cricket expert and fan.

8) Abhishek Sharma – 17y-250 days

The future opening batsman of the Indian cricket team, Abhishek Sharma, earned widespread admiration for his exceptional batting performances for SRH this year in 2024. He exhibited no mercy for the bowlers, showcasing his aggressive stroke play approach.

Although Abhishek Sharma is currently part of the SRH team, he made his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals in 2018 at the age of 17 years and 250 days old. In his first match, he showcased his capabilities by playing a fiery knock of 46 runs off just 19 balls for Delhi Capitals.

9) Ishan Kishan – 17y-262 days

Who would have thought that a lad from Bihar would become one of India’s prominent openers in international cricket? Yes, I am talking about Ishan Kishan who debuted his first IPL game in 2017 for Gujarat Lions when he was only 17 years and 262 days old.

Ishan Kishan is not only the 9th youngest player of IPL history but also the one of the highest paid Indian cricketer in Indian Premier League.

10) Sandeep Lamichhane – 17y-283 days

Nepal’s leg-spin bowler, Sandeep Lamichhane, was someone whose deliveries were hard to understand and pick for any batter. I first witnessed his bowling in 2018 when he played his maiden IPL match for Delhi Capitals.

During 2018, Sandeep Lamichhane played 3 games in which he secured 5 wickets at a very young age of 17 years and 283 days, which led to his retention by Delhi Capitals for the 2019 IPL Season.

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FAQ

When was Riyan Parag played his first IPL game?

In 2019, Rajasthan Royals chose young potential Riyan Parag and invested in him for 3 consecutive years till 2023 without any significant results.

Who is the youngest player to score a half century in the IPL?

The record of having the youngest player to score 50 is goes to Riyan Parag, as he made 50 runs of 49 runs in 2019 for Rajasthan Royals.