The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a resounding success since its inception in 2008. With the upcoming IPL 2024 auction just a few weeks away, the anticipation for the new season is already high.
One of the major talking points has been the appointment of young Indian opener Shubman Gill as captain of the Gujarat Titans, after Hardik Pandya made a return to his former team. This has raised the question of whether Gill will be the youngest captain in IPL history.
In fact, the youngest captain in IPL history is Indian superstar Virat Kohli. Kohli took over the captaincy of the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the age of 22 in 2011, making him the youngest captain in the history of the tournament. Despite being initially named as an interim captain, Kohli was soon elected as the full-time captain ahead of the 2013 season.
In addition to Kohli, Australian batter Steven Smith holds the record for the youngest overseas player to captain a game in the IPL. Smith took charge of the now-defunct Pune Warriors India in the IPL 2012, making him the second-youngest skipper in IPL history.
The complete list of the youngest captains in IPL history is as follows:
1. Virat Kohli – Royal Challengers Bangalore – 22 years old in 2011
2. Steven Smith – Pune Warriors India – 23 years old in 2012
3. Shreyas Iyer – Delhi Capitals – 23 years old in 2018
4. Rishabh Pant – Delhi Capitals – 23 years old in 2021
5. Shubman Gill – Gujarat Titans – 24 years old in 2024
As the excitement builds for the upcoming season of the IPL, many are eagerly making their predictions and bets on cricket matches. For the latest odds, betting, cricket scores, and fixtures from India, click here.
With the IPL 2024 auction around the corner and a new wave of talent emerging, the stage is set for another thrilling season.