Oldest Players To Take Maiden Test Wicket For India ft. Saransh Jain

Saransh Jain took his maiden Test wicket. [Source - AFP]

The ongoing Test between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo witnessed a special moment. Saransh Jain claimed his maiden Test wicket on debut, achieving the milestone at the age of 33.

Maiden wickets carry a different significance on debut, and Jain had to wait patiently before finally earning his reward. His breakthrough saw him enter an elite list of cricketers in Indian Test cricket history.

Saransh Jain Removed Lahiru Kumara To Get His Maiden Test Wicket At 33

Saransh Jain finally had his maiden Test wicket when Lahiru Kumara’s patience ran out towards the business end of Sri Lanka’s first innings on Day 4 morning. Kumara, desperate to add some quick runs, looked to attack, attempting to hit Jain’s flighted delivery straight down the ground.

The ball spun slightly after pitching, taking the outer half of Kumara’s bat and went in the air towards cover-point. Dhruv Jurel reacted brilliantly from deepish cover-point, running forward and diving low to complete an excellent catch.

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Kumara departed for 12 off 58 balls, having struck two boundaries. For Jain, it was a deserved breakthrough after being denied twice by DRS, making his maiden Test wicket on debut at the age of 33 all the more special.

Here is a listicle where we take a look at the oldest players to take maiden Test wickets for India.

6. Saransh Jain - 33 Years vs Sri Lanka in Colombo 2026

Saransh Jain has entered the list after claiming his maiden Test wicket at 33, becoming one of the oldest players to take maiden Test wicket for India and adding his name to this unusual list.

His first Test wicket came against Sri Lanka in Colombo, dismissing tailender Lahiru Kumara during the second Test of the two-match series, giving Jain a memorable beginning to his Test career.

5. Rakesh Chandra Shukla - 34 Years vs Sri Lanka in Chennai, 1982

Rakesh Chandra Shukla made his Test debut for India against Sri Lanka in Chennai in 1982 at 34. The leg-spinner, known for his googly, became one of India’s oldest debutants and also earned a place on this list.

In his only Test, Shukla claimed his maiden wicket in the second innings, dismissing Sri Lankan No. 3 Roy Dias for 97 and denying him a century. It remained his sole Test appearance

4. CK Nayudu - 36 Years vs England at Lord’s, 1932

CK Nayudu, India’s first-ever Test captain, made history in more ways than one during India’s inaugural Test against England at Lord’s in 1932, taking his maiden Test wicket as well at the age of 36.

Nayudu claimed his maiden Test wicket in India’s first-ever Test match, dismissing England batter Eddie Paynter LBW in the very first innings at Lord's. It was a landmark wicket in Indian cricket history and places him fourth in this elite list even today.

3. Shute Banerjee - 37 Years vs West Indies at Brabourne, 1949

Shute Banerjee is third on this list, having made his Test debut at the age of 37. He featured in the fifth and final Test of India’s five-match series against West Indies in 1949 at Brabourne Stadium.

Banerjee opened the bowling with the new ball and eventually claimed his maiden Test wicket in the first innings, dismissing Robert Christiani. The breakthrough at 37 made him one of India’s oldest maiden Test wicket-takers.

2. Hemu Adhikari - 39 Years vs West Indies in Delhi, 1959

Hemu Adhikari sits second on this list, having claimed his maiden Test wicket at the age of 39. Remarkably, the wicket came in the final Test match of his career, after he had already played 21 Tests for India and captained the side.

West Indies were cruising with a 159-run opening partnership of their first innings in 5th Test in Delhi 1959 when Adhikari provided India with the breakthrough, dismissing Conrad Hunte for his maiden Test wicket. 

1. Rustomji Jamshedji - 41 Years vs England in Mumbai, 1933

Rustomji Jamshedji, the oldest player ever to make his Test debut for India, also holds the record for being the oldest to claim a maiden Test wicket for India. He made his debut in India’s first-ever home Test, against England in December 1933.

Playing at the Gymkhana Ground in Mumbai, the slow left-arm spinner struck in England’s first innings, dismissing Charlie Barnett for his maiden Test wicket. At 41, Jamshedji etched his name into Indian Test cricket folklore.

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