Oldest to play a T20I in India [Source: AFP]Playing a T20I at an advanced age is a testament to a player’s longevity, fitness and ability to remain competitive at the highest level. Doing so in front of packed crowds in India, where the intensity and demands of international cricket are amplified, makes the achievement all the more remarkable.Such was the case during Afghanistan’s ‘home’ T20I match against India in Delhi on September 13, where a certain legendary all-rounder sustained his career with a historic cap at an age of above 41. 4. 41y 49d - Roelof van der Merwe (Netherlands) vs India, Ahmedabad, 2026South Africa-born Netherlands all-rounder Roelof van der Merwe took part in his team’s 2026 ICC T20 World Cup campaign in India earlier this year. Aged 41 in the tournament, the cricketer took on hosts India at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on February 2026. Also Read- Most Runs By Afghanistan Batters vs India In T20Is Till September 2026Even at the age of 41 years and 49 days in the game, Merwe snared a couple of sensational catches in the field. He also became one of the oldest players ever to make a T20I appearance on Indian soil.3. 41y 255d - Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) vs India, Delhi, 2026, Tonight*Mohammad Nabi was there in the playing XI when Afghanistan played its first-ever ODI match in Benoni in April 2009. The following year, Nabi played Afghanistan’s first-ever T20I appearance.In June 2018, Nabi’s Test debut also coincided with Afghanistan’s first-ever Test match in history, making the all-rounder’s journey pretty much synonymous with the country’s rise in international cricket.Aged 41 years and 255 days at the moment, the seasoned warhorse once again took field for Afghanistan for their ‘home’ T20I series against India in Delhi. More than 17 years after making his international debut, Nabi continues to be a key part of Afghanistan’s journey on the world stage. Mohammad Nabi’s longevity makes his latest appearance another remarkable chapter in an already historic international career.2. 42y 38d - Wayne Madsen (Italy) vs Scotland, Kolkata, 2026South Africa-born Wayne Madsen toured India earlier this year as part of the Italy squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Having made his T20I debut back in July 2023, he played the last of his eight T20I matches in February earlier this year at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata during the multi-nation event.Notably, Madsen was aged 42 years and 38 days at the time to become one of the oldest cricketers in history to play a T20I match in India. 1. 44y 34d - Ryan Campbell (Hong Kong) vs Scotland, Nagpur, 2016Players often contemplate retirements as the approach the high 30s. For Hong Kong opener and wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Campbell, his T20I career itself started at the age of 44 years and 30 days.Part of the Hong Kong squad for the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup in India, the cricketer played three Group B matches for his side, all in the span of just four days in Nagpur. Notably, the three matches he played in the tournament within a week in India, also happen to be the only three T20I appearances of his career. Campbell soon announced his retirement from international cricket, after having represented his nation at an age of 44 years and 34 days, the oldest for any cricketer to play a T20I match in India.Also Read- Jasprit Bumrah Attains Massive T20 Milestone; Joins Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal
