Starting early: 5 youngest IPL debutants
Playing any sport at a very young age is a big achievement for any player. Taking the field in front of thousands of fans and supporters in the stadium itself is big. Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the best T20 leagues going around the world and it has produced some great young players over the years. Some made their debut in the cash-rich league very early on in their career.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 youngest players to debut in the IPL:
5. Pradeep Sangwan (17y 179d)
Pradeep Sangwan was bought by Delhi Capitals (formerly known as Delhi Daredevils) in IPL 2008. He is the fifth-youngest player to debut in the IPL aged 17 years and 179 days. He played his first match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2008. He was then signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2011 and the now-defunct Gujarat Lions franchise in the year 2016.
4. Sarfaraz Khan (17y 177d)
Sarfaraz Khan is the fourth-youngest debutant in the history of IPL. He was purchased by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2015 for INR 50 Lakhs. He smashed 45* off 21 balls against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in his second outing. In a surprise move, he was retained by RCB ahead of the mega auction in 2018 over the likes of Chris Gayle and KL Rahul.
3. Riyan Parag (17y 152d)
Riyan Parag was snapped up by RR in 2019 for INR 20 Lakhs. He is the third-youngest player to feature in the IPL aged 17 years and 152 days. He smashed a half-century against Delhi Capitals (DC), thereby becoming the youngest player to slam a fifty in the IPL. Parag was bought back by RR in the mega auction of 2022.
2. Mujeeb ur Rahman (17y 11d)
Mujeeb ur Rahman fetched INR 4 Crores from Punjab Kings in 2018. He is the second youngest cricketer to appear in the IPL aged 17 years and 11 days. He is also the youngest to bag a five-wicket haul in the ODIs when he achieved the feat against Zimbabwe in Sharjah in 2018 at the age of 16 years and 325 days.
1.Prayas Ray Barman (16y 157d)
Prayas Ray Barman is the youngest to play in the IPL. In 2019 he wrote his name in the history books when he appeared for RCB. He was bought for INR 1.5 Crores by the franchise in the 2019 auction. Barman has played just a solitary match in the IPL which was enough to make him the youngest debutant. He played the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad as he conceded 0/56 in four overs.
