Cricket is one of the major sports which is widely followed and often regarded as a religion in India. Over the years, this sport has produced several prodigious talents. Among these, there are players who have made their international debut during a very young age and became a source of inspiration. Legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar has made his international debut at the age of 16 and became the youngest cricketer in India to represent the country at time. Youngest cricketer in India is Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old sensation with cricket world at his feet.

Who is Youngest cricketer in India (International debut)?

Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tedulkar, former India captain, is regarded as one of the greatest batters in the history of the sport. He made his international debut during a Test match against Pakistan in Karachi on November 15, 1989, when he was just 16 years old. He later represented Mumbai in domestic cricket and played for India over 24 years. Renowned as Master Blaster, Tendulkar has achieved various records over his glorious career. 

Key records

• Most Test matches in career -200
• Most Test hundreds in career – 51
• Most Test runs in career-15921
• Most ODI fifties in career- 145
• Most fifties in career (combined Test, ODI, and T20I)- 264
• Most POTM awards (combined Test, ODI, and T20I)- 76
• Most nineties in career (combined Test, ODI, and T20I)- 28

Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel has represented the Indian national team as a wicketkeeper-batter from 2002-2018. The former Gujarat batter has scored over 1700 runs for India across all formats of the game. He announced retirement from all formats of cricket in December 2020. 

Maninder Singh

Maninder Singh made his international debut when he was 17 years and 222 days old in 1982, during a Test match against arch-rivals Pakistan. The Maharashtra-born cricketer has represented India in 35 test matches and 59 one day internationals (ODIs). A slow left-arm orthodox spin, Maninder has picked up 88 Test wickets and 66 ODI wickets in his career.

Harbhajan Singh

Harbhaajan Simgh was one of the greatest off spinner India have ever produced. He was one of key players who have helped India acquire success on various occasions. Known as Turbanator he has achieved various records, including the sixth position for the best bowling figures (15 wickets) in Test matches and the record for the most consecutive ten-wicket hauls in a Test match (2), holding fourth position.

LR Shukla 

Laxmi ratan Shukla debuted for India at 17 years and 320 days old, during an ODI match against Sri Lanka on March 22, 1999. He has also represented the Bengal cricket team as a right-handed middle-order batter and a right-arm medium-pace bowler. He also played for Kolkata knight Riders, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League IPL). 

Chetan Sharma

Chetan Sharama, who made his debut for India at 17 years and 338 days old, has played as a fast bowler in Test and ODI format. He set a record in 1987, becoming the first cricketer to achieve a hat-trick in an ICC Cricket World Cup match. 

Prithvi Shaw 

Prthivi Shaw made his international debut for India at the age of 18 on October 4, 2018 during a Test match against the West Indies. He scored a century during the match and became the second-youngest India after Sachin Tendulkar to score a ton and the youngest Indian to do so in his debut. 

Washington Sundar 

Washington Sundar, who made his international debut in 2021 during a Test match against Australia emerged as one of the key spin bowlers of team India. He has picked up 94 wickets and 863 runs for India across all formats of the game.

Ishant Sharma 

After making his international debut at the age of 18, Ishant Sharma became one of the vital parts of India’s pace attack. He holds the 19th position in the list of youngest players to take five wickets in an innings (19 years and 97 days). He has picked up 311 wickets in Test, 115 in ODIs, and 8 in T20Is.

Shubman Gill 

Making his debut at the age of 19, Shubman Gill emerged as one of India’s batting sensation. He serves as India’s vice-captain in white-ball cricket. The Punjab-born cricketer is also captaining the 2022 IPL champions Gujarat Titans. Playing just 29 Tests, he has so far accumulated 1800 runs at an average of 36.73. Meanwhile in ODIs and T20Is, he amassed over 2000 and 500 runs, respectively. He holds the record of fastest to reach the 2000-run mark in ODI cricket, achieving the feat in 38 innings. 

Rishabh Pant

Young wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made his international debut at 19 years and 120 days, against England in a Test match. He has showcased his prowess in all formats of the game but he has particularly delivered impressive performances in Test cricket.

Conclusion

The youngest cricketer in India depicts passion, dedication, and the power of inspirations.  These 11 youngest cricketers from India have made remarkable contributions for the national side over the years. From the legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar, who made his debut at just 16, to Rishabh Pant, who has been showcasing impressive performances across formats, each of these cricketers has left an indelible mark in Indian cricket history.