Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a bang-on success over the years. From giving exposure to the then newly-introduced T20 format to experienced Indian players, to unearthing young talent, IPL has been at the epicentre of Indian cricket since 2008.
The excitement around the upcoming edition is already high, with the IPL 2024 auction all set to take place in a a few weeks. Recently, young India opener Shubman Gill was handed the captaincy by Gujarat Titans after Hardik Pandya returned to his former team.
Isthe 24-year-old the youngest captain in IPL history?
As we build up to yet another exciting season of the IPL, The Sporting News brings to you, an interesting fact about young captains. Read more to find out!
Bet here now (selected regions) on the winners of IPL 2024 and other cricket matches!
Who is the youngest captain in IPL history?
Indian superstar Virat Kohli is the youngest captain in the history of IPL by far. The 35-year-old captained a Royal Challengers Bangalore XI for the first time in 2011, as a 22-year-old.
Kohli acted as an interim captain for three games for RCB, when the then full-time skipper Daniel Vettori, was sidelined due to injury. Kohli's first game as a skipper in IPL came away to Rajasthan Royals. RCB won the game as it saw the beginning of a new era. Kohli was soon elected as the full-time captain ahead of the 2013 season.
Even after 13 years from the milestone, the record still stands behind Kohli's name. Virat was a prodigal son in his early days, wasn't he?
MORE: Gill named as GT captain as Pandya seals MI move
Who is the youngest overseas captain in IPL history?
Australian batter Steven Smith is the youngest overseas player to captain a game in the Indian Premier League. Smith took the reigns of the now-defunct Pune Warriors India, in the IPL 2012. Smith is also the second-youngest skipper, just behind Virat Kohli, to lead a team in an IPL game.
Smith was selected to be the stand-in captain, for Indian veteran Sourav Ganguly. The 'Prince of Kolkata' decided to rest himself for the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Pune went on to lose that game.
MORE: What are the biggest trade deals in IPL history?
List of youngest captains in IPL history
| Rank | Player | Team | Age as captain | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 22 | 2011 |
| 2 | Steven Smith | Pune Warriors India | 23 | 2012 |
| 3 | Shreyas Iyer | Delhi Capitals | 23 | 2018 |
| 4 | Rishabh Pant | Delhi Capitals | 23 | 2021 |
| 5 | Shubman Gill | Gujarat Titans | 24 | 2024 |
Ready to make your predictions and win on cricket matches? To find all the latest odds, betting and cricket scores and fixtures from India click here
