Youngest Captains in the History of IPL

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for nurturing young talent, but captaincy opportunities for young players are relatively rare. The league tends to favor experienced leaders, allowing younger players to develop their skills under established figures.

This setup serves as an invaluable learning opportunity, enabling young players to absorb leadership qualities by observing decision-making under pressure.

The IPL provides a platform for these players to showcase their talents and gain the trust needed for future captaincy roles.

Young Captains: Fearless and Relatable

Young leaders bring a fearless approach to the game. Unencumbered by past defeats or conventional thinking, they are more inclined to experiment with tactics and player combinations. This boldness is crucial in the constantly evolving format of the IPL.

Additionally, young captains often connect better with their younger teammates, having played together in age-group cricket. This shared experience fosters a strong team environment based on mutual understanding.

1. Virat Kohli – 22 Years 4 Months – Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli’s leadership is closely associated with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL. Few remember, however, that he holds the record as their youngest captain. At just 22 years and 187 days, Kohli took up the captain’s role in 2011, filling in for the injured Daniel Vettori.

Despite his young age, he led the team to a convincing victory, demonstrating his leadership potential. This marked the beginning of a long association between Kohli and RCB, where he captained 140 matches with a win percentage of 48.16%.

2. Steve Smith – 22 Years 11 Months – Rising Pune Supergiants

Steve Smith became the youngest captain of the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) in their 2017 season. At just 22 years old, Smith led the team, already having proven himself as a leader by captaining Australia in all formats.

His batting form further solidified his role. While RPS fell short of the IPL title that year, Smith’s leadership was commendable, leading the team in 43 matches with a win percentage of 59.52%.

3. Shreyas Iyer – 23 Years 3 Months – Delhi Capitals

Shreyas Iyer is the youngest captain in Delhi Capitals’ (formerly Delhi Daredevils) history. In 2018, at just 23 years old, he took over mid-season, replacing Gautam Gambhir. His debut as a captain was marked by a victory against Kolkata Knight Riders, thanks to his match-winning knock.

Iyer’s youthful energy and fearless approach guided Delhi Capitals to their first playoff appearance in seven years in 2019. He later became the skipper of KKR, maintaining a win percentage of 53.65%.

4. Suresh Raina – 23 Years 3 Months – Chennai Super Kings

Suresh Raina, despite being overshadowed by MS Dhoni’s long leadership of Chennai Super Kings, briefly captained the team during IPL 2010.

Raina’s energetic batting and fielding defined his leadership, and he filled in whenever Dhoni was absent. Raina captained 34 IPL matches, achieving a winning rate of 44.11%.

5. Rishabh Pant – 23 Years 6 Months – Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant made history as Delhi Capitals’ youngest captain, leading the team in 2021 at the age of 23 after Shreyas Iyer’s injury. Pant’s aggressive style and on-field presence resonated with the team’s youthful core.

His fearless batting and innovative captaincy brought new energy to the team. Although DC fell short of the title, Pant’s leadership potential was evident.