Five youngest captains in the history of IPL
Let's have a look at five of the youngest players to have captained Indian Premier League teams:
The IPL has witnessed numerous cricketers assume captaincy roles at a remarkably young age, subsequently establishing themselves as exemplary leaders within the league. Let's have a look at five of the youngest players to have captained IPL teams:
Virat Kohli - 22 Years, 4 Months, 6 Days
Virat Kohli's leadership potential was evident from his early success, having captained India's U-19 team to a World Cup win in 2008. Despite possessing inherent leadership qualities, he had to bide his time in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad, which featured seasoned players like Anil Kumble, Kevin Pietersen, and Rahul Dravid. His opportunity arose in 2011, when then-captain Daniel Vettori suffered an injury. At just 22 years, 4 months, and 6 days old, Kohli was asked to step in. His inaugural match as IPL captain resulted in an RCB victory over the Rajasthan Royals. During that season, Kohli captained RCB in three matches, securing two wins. However, it wasn't until 2013 that he was appointed full-time captain. He continued to lead the team until 2021, when he relinquished the captaincy.
Steve Smith - 22 Years, 11 Months, 9 Days
Steve Smith's IPL career has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. He entered the league in 2012, joining Pune Warriors India (PWI) as a replacement for Mitchell Marsh. PWI's struggles during the season prompted captain Sourav Ganguly to resign from his position.
Consequently, Smith was appointed as captain, and although his first match in charge ended in defeat, he became one of the youngest captains in IPL history at the age of 22. He subsequently captained the Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiant, where he notably had the unique experience of leading MS Dhoni. Additionally, Smith briefly held the captaincy for the Delhi Capitals.
Shreyas Iyer - 23 Years, 3 Months, 21 Days
Shreyas Iyer's journey as an IPL captain commenced in 2018 when Gautam Gambhir, then captain of the Delhi Capitals, stepped down due to a slump in form. At the young age of 23 years, 3 months, and 21 days, Iyer assumed leadership and made a striking impact with an unbeaten 93-run innings. Under his captaincy, the Delhi Capitals reached the playoffs in IPL 2019, breaking a seven-year drought.
In 2020, Iyer guided the Delhi Capitals to their first-ever IPL final, where they were defeated by the Mumbai Indians. However, a shoulder injury sidelined him for the 2021 season, leading the franchise to appoint Rishabh Pant as captain. Despite Iyer's subsequent return, the team retained Pant as captain. Iyer later transitioned to the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he successfully led them to an IPL title victory in 2024.
Suresh Raina - 23 Years, 3 Months, 22 Days
Suresh Raina, a key component of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), frequently served as MS Dhoni's vice-captain. In 2010, when Dhoni was unavailable for an away match against the Delhi Daredevils, Raina stepped up to captain the team at the age of 23.
He played a pivotal role in that match, contributing 49 runs to a successful run chase of 186. Later, when CSK and the Rajasthan Royals were suspended for two seasons, Raina captained the Gujarat Lions. Under his leadership, the Gujarat Lions topped the league stage in 2016, although they were ultimately eliminated in the second qualifier.
Riyan Parag - 23 Years, 4 Months, 10 Days
Riyan Parag will be seen leading Rajasthan Royals for the first three matches in IPL 2025. This decision stemmed from the unavailability of regular captain Sanju Samson, who was recovering from an index finger injury and opted to sit out the first three matches. Despite the presence of numerous established players within the squad, Samson placed his trust in Parag's leadership abilities, leading to his appointment as captain for the initial three games of the season.
