5 youngest captains in the history of IPL

The IPL has, throughout its course, provided a platform for every cricketer to create an impact. Every year, 8 teams battle for the trophy. Every team has an army of players which provides the perfect balance of energy and experience.

To lead an IPL team is a challenge. However, there are some players who are appointed as captains from a very young age.

We list the 5 youngest captains in IPL history:

5. Rishabh Pant (23 years, 6 months, 6 days)

After DC captain Shreyas Iyer was ruled out with a shoulder injury, Rishabh Pant was appointed as the new captain. Even with the likes of Ashwin, Rahane, Dhawan, and Smith, the management felt that Pant deserved the captaincy. It will be interesting to see how Pant adapts to this new role in the T20 format. The Delhi Capitals will take on Dhoni’s CSK on April 10. 

4. Suresh Raina (23 years, 3 months, 22 days)

CSK icon Suresh Raina is the 4th youngest captain in IPL history. Back in IPL 2010, Dhoni was leading the Chennai franchise. However, in Dhoni’s absence, Raina was handed the captaincy role.

3. Shreyas Iyer (23 years, 3 months, 21 days)

Former DC captain Shreyas Iyer is at no 3 on this list. Iyer was named captain after Gautam Gambhir. The team struggled under Gambhir’s captaincy. It was then decided that the team needed a captain with a new perspective to push DC back to winning ways. Consequently, Iyer rose to the occasion and became captain of DC at just 23. 

2. Steve Smith (22 years, 11 months, 9 days)

Australian cricketer Steve Smith is at no 3 on this list. Smith was in charge of the Pune Warriors India back in 2012. Before Smith, Ganguly was the captain of the Pune franchise. However, things were not going smoothly under Ganguly’s captaincy. Eventually, Ganguly stepped down and Smith was appointed captain of the team.

Virat Kohli (22 years, 4 months, 6 days)

The Indian sensation has several cricketing records to his name. Virat Kohli wrote his name in the history books after becoming the youngest captain in IPL history. Back in 2011, former New Zealand cricketer Daniel Vettori was in charge of RCB. However, things didn't go as planned. As a result, the aggressive Virat Kohli was put in charge of the captaincy of the Bangalore franchise. Till date, Kohli’s record is yet to be broken.

READ MORE Cricket articles here!