Youngest Cricketer in India Ever: All-Format Records
Who is the Youngest Cricketer in India Ever?
- Youngest Test debutant: Sachin Tendulkar — 16 years 205 days (1989)
- Youngest T20I debutant: Washington Sundar — 18 years 80 days (2017)
- Youngest ODI debutant: Sachin Tendulkar — 16 years 238 days (1989)
- Youngest IPL debutant: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — 14 years 23 days (2025
Top 10 Youngest Cricketers in Indian Team History
Below is a verified list of the youngest Indian cricketers to make their international debut. All ages are at the time of debut.
Player | Age at Debut | Format | Year |
Sachin Tendulkar | 16 years, 205 days | Test | 1989 |
Parthiv Patel | 17 years, 153 days | Test | 2002 |
Maninder Singh | 17 years, 193 days | Test | 1982 |
Harbhajan Singh | 17 years, 288 days | Test | 1998 |
L.R. Shukla | 17 years, 320 days | Test | 2000 |
Chetan Sharma | 17 years, 338 days | ODI | 1983 |
Ishant Sharma | 18 years, 354 days | Test | 2007 |
Prithvi Shaw | 18 years, 359 days | Test | 2018 |
Washington Sundar | 18 years, 80 days | T20I | 2017 |
Rishabh Pant | 19 years, 120 days | T20I | 2017 |
Sources: ESPNcricinfo, verified records
New Young Indian Cricketers to Watch in 2026
India keeps producing extraordinary young talent. Here are the best young Indian cricketers right now who you should be following closely.
1. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Born: March 27, 2011)
This is arguably the most exciting young cricketer India has produced in decades. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals against Lucknow Super Giants on April 19, 2025, at the age of 14 years and 23 days, becoming the youngest debutant in IPL history (full list of youngest IPL players from 2008 to 2026).
His 101 off 38 balls against the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 was the second-fastest century in league history. In IPL 2026, he opened against CSK with 52 off 17 balls, including a 15-ball fifty.
In the final of the 2026 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, Vaibhav scored 175 runs off 80 balls against England, hitting 15 fours and 15 sixes — a record-breaking knock. He was named Player of the Tournament. He has not yet made his senior India international debut, but at 15 years old, it is only a matter of time.
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Born: December 28, 2001)
Yashasvi Jaiswal made his Test debut in July 2023 against West Indies, scoring 171 runs. He became the first visiting batter to score centuries on debut in both England and Australia.
In the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Jaiswal was India’s highest run-scorer with 391 runs at an average of 43.44. He made his ODI debut as recently as February 2025 and already has an ODI century to his name. He is one of the most complete young batters India has produced.
3. Ayush Mhatre (Age: 18)
Ayush Mhatre captains India’s U19 side and has already played senior IPL matches for CSK. He made his IPL debut in 2025 with 32 off 15 balls against Mumbai Indians, becoming the youngest player to represent Chennai Super Kings.
4. Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma announced himself in T20I cricket for India with powerful middle-order batting. He has shown consistency across IPL seasons with Mumbai Indians and was trusted early by India’s T20 setup — a sign of serious selectors’ confidence.
5. Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has established himself across all three formats for India and was named ODI captain during the late-2025 South Africa series, already putting himself in the conversation among the best cricket captains in the world. He may not be “new” anymore, but at 25, he is
Youngest Indian Cricketer by Format
One thing most articles get wrong is that they treat “youngest Indian cricketer” as a single record. The truth is — each format has its own record. Let us break it down clearly.
Test Cricket
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record as the youngest Indian Test debutant at 16 years and 205 days, making his debut against Pakistan in 1989.
ODI Cricket
Sachin Tendulkar also holds this record. He made his ODI debut on the same Pakistan tour in December 1989, again at 16 years of age.
T20I Cricket
Washington Sundar (18 years, 80 days) is actually the youngest T20I debutant for India
For more in-depth cricket guides, player profiles, and match analysis, keep exploring AllCric — your trusted source for everything cricket.
FAQS❓
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record. He made his international debut at 16 years and 205 days in a Test match against Pakistan in 1989.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his IPL debut at 14 years and 23 days for Rajasthan Royals in April 2025, making him the youngest player in IPL history.
As of 2026, Yashasvi Jaiswal (24) is among the youngest regulars in India’s senior international setup across all three formats.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, born March 27, 2011, is a left-handed batter from Bihar who holds the record for being the youngest centurion in IPL history and the youngest player to ever play in the IPL. He has not yet made his senior India debut.