In frame: Harbhajan Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi & Sachin Tendulkar (Source: AFP)
The youngest player to play in the Indian Premier League, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had an extraordinary IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals. Playing his second IPL edition, he finished as the highest run-scorer with 776 runs at an exceptional strike rate of 237.30.
At just 15 years and 65 days old, Sooryavanshi also set a new IPL record as the youngest IPL Orange Cap winner.
Thanks to his exceptional performances throughout the season, discussions about the 15-year-old ranged from comparisons with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar to arguments for why the BCCI should not delay his India T20I debut.
For the unversed, in mid-May, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earned his maiden India A call-up for the upcoming one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka, which will also feature Afghanistan. Safe to say, he is only a step away from his elevation to the senior Indian squad.
If this happens soon, the teenage prodigy could become the youngest player to play for the Indian national team. Along the lines, take a look at the list of 5 youngest players who donned the Indian colours.
Youngest player to make India Debut
5) Laxmi Ratan Shukla, 17 years and 320 days old
A handy all-rounder, Laxmi Ratan Shukla made his India debut at a tender age of 17 against Sri Lanka during the 1998-99 Pepsi Cup. However, he played just two ODIs after that and was never considered for national duty again.
Shukla earned a name for himself through his contributions to Bengal in the Ranji Trophy for nearly two decades.
Also read: What Virat Kohli Told Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After RCB’s IPL 2026 Win?
He became the first player from Bengal to play 100 Ranji Trophy matches and is one of the few domestic players to achieve the double of 5,000 runs and 150 wickets in the tournament. He officially retired from competitive cricket in December 2015.
4) Harbhajan Singh, 17 years and 288 days old
Harbhajan “The Turbanator” Singh made his international debut for India in March 1998, playing his first Test against Australia at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
He went on to have a highly decorated career, taking over 400 Test wickets and playing pivotal roles in India’s victories at the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.
3) Maninder Singh, 17 years and 222 days old
At the young age of 17, Maninder Singh made his Test debut against Pakistan in Karachi in 1982. However, it was a forgettable debut, as he failed to take a wicket, and India lost the game by an innings and 86 runs.
Billed as the natural heir to the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi, Maninder was highly regarded for his flight and variations. Yet as his career progressed, he struggled to replicate that early dominance, frequently battling a loss of rhythm and form.
2) Parthiv Patel, 17 years and 153 days old
As a teenager, Parthiv Patel made his international debut on August 8, 2002, playing in the second Test against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, becoming Test cricket's youngest wicketkeeper.
At just 17, Patel, in his maiden India match, batted for over an hour on the final day at Trent Bridge, helping his team secure a draw. Though his career was cut short due to MS Dhoni’s dominance, he finished with 25 Tests, 38 ODIs, and a prolific domestic career before retiring in 2020.
1) Sachin Tendulkar, 16 years and 205 days old
First on the list of youngest to make India debut is the Sachin Tendulkar, also known as the ‘God of Cricket’. Tendulkar made his international debut for India in a Test match against Pakistan at Karachi on November 15, 1989.
In his debut series, the ‘Master Blaster’ was hit flush on the nose by a fiery bouncer from Waqar Younis during the fourth Test match in Sialkot. Showing great character and nerves of steel, he continued to bat despite nose bleeding. And what followed was his illustrious 24-year international career (1989–2013).
During his time in Indian colours, he set near-unbreakable records, including being the only player to score 100 international centuries and the highest run-scorer in both Test (15,921) and One Day International (18,426) cricket.
Also read: Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Looks Ready For An India Debut?
