IPL 2020: Team-wise oldest and youngest players

The extravaganza of Indian Premier League returns with its 13th edition as eight franchises battle it out in the middle for the ultimate prize- the IPL trophy. The IPL 2020 Auction notched up the excitement as many eminent names were snapped up by the franchises before the much-anticipated tournament was set to kick off in March. But the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cash-rich league being played in the UAE this year from September 19.

The franchises have equipped themselves with many match-winning players ahead of IPL 2020. Be it a young prospect battling it out for recognition or a veteran plying his trade in the league hosts a platform for players of every age bracket. Most franchises are often seen investing a hefty sum on young prospects. However, franchises don’t shy away from splurging a hefty amount on veterans who can bolster the squad with their valuable experience.

In the IPL 2020 Auction, Pravin Tambe emerged as the oldest players to embrace the league after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) purchased him at his base price of INR 20 lakhs. However, the leg-spinner won’t be able to take part in the upcoming edition of the league. Last year, he participated in the Abu Dhabi T10 League and hence, violated BCCI’s regulations.

With the initiation of IPL 2020 drawing closer with every passing day, here’s the team-wise list of oldest and youngest players for IPL 2020:

1. Mumbai Indians

Oldest- Mitchell McClenaghan

Lasith Malinga pulling out of the IPL 2020 has made Mitchell McClenaghan the oldest player of the Mumbai Indian (MI) line-up. He is 34 years old at the moment and will be keen on helping the team defend its title for the first time. However, it is still not clear if McClenaghan will be the first-choice among the foreign players for MI. He will mostly have to battle with Nathan Coulter-Nile in the bowling department to make it to the XI.

So far, he has played 56 matches in the IPL and has scalped 71 wickets at a decent strike-rate of 17.94. The left-arm pacer has won a number of titles with the franchise and will now be excited to take the field after a long break from the sport.

Youngest- Rahul Chahar

Amid the brilliance of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav in international cricket, Rahul Chahar- a young prolific spinner is also rising up the ranks through his performances across the domestic circuit. After the emergence of his brother Deepak Chahar on the international scene, Rahul is also labelled to be the next big thing due to his wrist-spinning ability.

One aspect which Mumbai Indians undoubtedly need to improve is their spin bowling attack. Chahar will be partnering Krunal Pandya in the upcoming season and the Rohit Sharma-led side will be looking forward to banking on the youngster’s ability.

The leg-spinner has the tricks in his armoury and considers Shane Warne as his idol. Chahar might emerge as a surprise package for the defending champions and wreak havoc on the opposition batting force. In 16 First-class matches, Chahar has scalped 64 wickets including six five-wicket hauls.

2. Royal Challengers Bangalore

Oldest- Dale Steyn

It’s not a secret that veteran Dale Steyn has an abundance of experience under his belt. Steyn has the potential to decimate the opposition batting force with his sheer pace and pin-perfect accuracy. The speedster has the ability to clock 140 kmph at a constant rate despite being in the latter stage of his career. Hence, RCB acquired his services ahead of the season to bolster their bowling attack.

Steyn can be an amazing asset for RCB, especially in their death overs where the Virat Kohli-led side has often failed to curb the opposition. Steyn was recently seen plying his trade in the MSL 2019 and BBL 2019-20. Moreover, the 36-year-old is also eyeing a comeback.

After suffering a career-threatening shoulder injury in 2016, the Proteas pacer appeared in just eight Tests, nine ODIs and two T20 Internationals since. He also had to miss the ICC World Cup 2019. However, RCB has entrusted Steyn’s expertise and only time will tell if the prolific fast bowler leaves his mark in IPL 2020. In 92 IPL matches, Steyn has scalped 96 wickets at an economy rate of 6.76.

Youngest- Devdutt Padikkal

Padikkal has been sublime form lately and is the contest for the opener’s role for RCB in the upcoming season. The Karnataka batsman had a sublime domestic season. After finishing as highest run-getter in the previous season of Vijay Hazare Trophy, Padikkal carried his stellar form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy too.

Along with KL Rahul, the 19-year-old delivered match-winning performances for Karnataka in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In a First-class career spanning over 10 matches, Padikkal has amassed 683 runs at an average of 37.94 including eight half-centuries.

Despite snapping Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli and Co. will be eager to utilize the red-hot form of Padikkal in the upcoming season. The youngster has carved his own niche to climb up the ladder and he can be RCB’s new stalwart if he gets an opportunity to prove himself in IPL 2020.

3. Chennai Super Kings

Oldest- Imran Tahir

The Pakistan-born leg spinner has played a chief role in steering the spin-attack of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2019. Tahir, along with the likes of Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja dismantled many batting line-ups in the previous season.

Defying his age, the spin wizard emerged as the highest wicket-taker of IPL 2019 with 26 scalps in 17 matches. Tahir never fails to miss the limelight by his impressive googlies and unique running celebration after taking a wicket.

Experience is always considered as Chennai Super Kings’s forte and the MS Dhoni-led side has many veterans in its arsenal. In an impressive IPL career spanning over 55 matches, the South African spinner has picked up 79 wickets including 3 four-wicket hauls.

Youngest- Sam Curran

Sam Curran has emerged as one of the vital cogs of England’s Test side lately. Chennai Super Kings, who always have reinforced world-class all-rounders like Andrew Flintoff, Shane Watson and Ravindra Jadeja in their arsenal, will be bolstered by Curran’s all-round skills.

The left-handed seamer has the potential scalp crucial wickets for his side and stitch vital cameos with the bat too. The world has already witnessed glimpses of his potential when he had donned the Kings XI Punjab jersey last season.

The 21-year-old scalped 10 wickets in 9 matches for KXIP last season. This included a hat-trick against Delhi Capitals as he became the youngest ever player to take an IPL hat-trick. Curran will be a great addition to CSK’s squad along with other young prospects like Sai Kishore and Lungi Ngidi.

4. Delhi Capitals

Oldest -Amit Mishra

Regarded as one of the veterans of Indian cricket, Amit Mishra has had a splendid domestic and IPL career. In an illustrious IPL career spanning over 147 matches, the leg-spinner has scalped 157 wickets including 3 four-wicket hauls.

The 37-year-old has tons of experience under his belt and will be steering Delhi Capitals’ bowling line-up along with stalwarts like Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada and Sandip Lamichhane.

Mishra scalped 11 wickets in 11 matches last season while playing for Delhi Capitals. Hence, the side has entrusted him to guide their spin force yet again alongside Lamichanne and Ashwin. Mishra was retained for a hefty sum of 4 Cr INR ahead of IPL 2020. He will be rooting to leave his mark in the upcoming season, especially on a spin-friendly Feroz Shah Kotla surface.

Youngest- Sandip Lamichhane

The young wrist spinner has already turned heads while playing for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League 2019-20. He etched his name into the record books as he became the first Nepal player to embrace the Indian Premier League.

The teenage sensation has proved his mettle while plying his trade all around the globe in countries like Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies. In his first two seasons with Delhi Capitals, the prodigy scalped 13 wickets in nine matches and still has a long way to go in his career.

Delhi Capitals have built their squad around many young prospects and Lamichhane is one of those colts. Lamichhane is also a contender for Emerging Player Award in the upcoming season. He is currently delivering impressive performances for Melbourne Stars in the ongoing Big Bash League- something that Capitals will be looking to bank on.

5. Kings XI Punjab

Oldest- Chris Gayle

Even though IPL 2020 is touted to be the last season for the explosive opener, one cannot deny the fact that Chris Gayle has the ability to turn the match completely in his side’s favour. The 40-year-old will be eager to bid adieu by ending his stint on a high note.

Chris Gayle is undoubtedly one of the most lethal openers in the shorter format of the game. He was bought by KXIP at a bargain price of Rs 2 Cr in 2018 auction and the rest is history. Gayle he has amassed 858 runs in his 24 appearances for the Punjab-based franchise.

Moreover, Gayle with open the Punjab innings along with in-form KL Rahul. The duo is anticipated to steer the franchise to a flying start in the IPL 2020 season. Marred by inconsistent performances since the last few seasons, Gayle will be eyeing the coveted IPL trophy before curtailing his illustrious career.

Youngest- Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Excellent spin variations and carrom ball- Mujeeb Ur Rahman has many tricks to flaunt in the upcoming season. Afghanistan has the trend of producing world-class spinners and Mujeeb’s skills and abilities are no different. The 18-year-old off-break bowler will by plying his trade along with other Punjab youngsters like Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Darshan Nalkande, and Ishan Porel.

Mujeeb has clinched 17 wickets in the 16 IPL matches he has played so far. Despite having a dull IPL 2019, the young sensation will be looking forward to bamboozling batsmen with his variations this season.

Mujeeb has the experience of playing in domestic leagues all across the globe. He also has an impressive record for his national side. The teenager has scalped 63 wickets in 40 ODIs for Afghanistan at an impressive economy of 3.94. Mujeeb will be also eying the Emerging Player Trophy by delivering match-winning performances in the upcoming season.

6. Kolkata Knight Riders

Oldest- Dinesh Karthik

After Pravin Tambe’s ineligibility to play in the IPL 2020, Dinesh Karthik is the oldest player in the KKR squad. The right-hander has established himself as one of the most decorated players in KKR’s history.

The 34-year-old was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2018 IPL season and Karthik made an instant impact by steering the side to the playoffs. The Tamil Nadu-born batsman had a phenomenal 2018 IPL season.

The veteran has played 182 IPL matches and has gathered 3654 runs including 18 half-centuries. Karthik has plied his trade for seven IPL franchises so far. Having mammoth experience under his belt, Karthik will be aiming to propel KKR to their third IPL trophy in the upcoming season.

Youngest- Kamlesh Nagarkoti

Kamlesh Nagarkoti- the Rajasthan-born speedster has all the aspects to break into the national side one day. The right-arm fast bowler was unfortunate to miss out on the entire 2019 season due to a back injury. However, Kolkata Knight Riders showed trust in him and retained him for the next season.

The 20-year-old  will be eager to justify his potential in the upcoming season. KKR is equipped with a string of young prospects including Shubman Gill, Tom Banton, Shivam Mavi and Prasidh Krishna. Nagarkoti has the ability to clock 145 kmph- something that a jam-packed Eden Gardens would love to witness.

Considering his consistent performances across the domestic circuit, Nagarkoti was bought for INR 3.2 crore contract by Kolkata Knight Riders at the 2018 IPL auctions. KKR will be eager to add another IPL trophy to their cabinet and Nagarkoti will be looking to turn heads by delivering impressive spells in IPL 2020.

7. Rajasthan Royals

Oldest- Robin Uthappa

After a lacklustre IPL 2019 season, Robin Uthappa was bought by Rajasthan Royals for INR 3 crores in IPL 2020 Auction. The veteran has tons of experience under his belt, having played 177 matches in which he has scored 4411 at a strike rate of 130.5 and an average of 28.83.

The 34-year-old has been delivering consistent performance while playing for Kerala in the domestic circuit. Uthappa also has a phenomenal First-class record as the right-hander has gathered 9407 runs in 141 matches at an impressive average of 40.90. He also has 22 tons and 52 half-centuries under his belt.

Furthermore, Uthappa also possesses the ability to keep the wickets if his side needs him to do so. Despite stepping into the latter stage of his career, Uthappa will be eyeing IPL 2020 to retaliate from his last season’s dull outing. Uthappa will be looking forward to bolstering the Rajasthan Royals’ batting force along with the likes of Steve Smith, Jos Buttler, David Miller and Sanju Samson.

Akash Singh

Rajasthan Royals have invested in a prolific left-arm pacer Akash Singh, who made his T20 debut in November 2019, for Rajasthan in the 2019–20 season of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Singh played a vital role in the final as he clinched the important wicket of South Africa Under-19 skipper Bryce Parsons to help steer India to lift the Quadrangular Under-19 Series. Rajasthan also has many world-class pacers in their arsenal- Jofra Archer, Andrew Tye, Oshane Thomas and Ben Stokes. 17-year-old Singh will be eager to flourish by playing with these bowling stalwarts.

Rajasthan Royals have a plethora of youngsters in their squad. Along with the eminent names like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag, Rajasthan are also equipped with Kartik Tyagi, Anuj Rawat and Mahipal Lomror.

8. Sunrisers Hyderabad

Oldest- Wriddhiman Saha

India’s first-choice Test wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha has an IPL career spanning over 120 matches. The right-hander has played for several IPL franchises including Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab and now, Sunrises Hyderabad.

Saha has amassed 1765 runs in 120 IPL matches including a ton and six half-centuries. After having a lacklustre IPL 2019 season, Saha will be eager to bounce back on the stage.

‘Flying Saha’ is expected to bank on the success which he achieved with the red-ball lately while donning the Indian jersey. In 37 Tests, the right-hander has amassed 1238 runs at an average of 30-19. He has emerged as a reliable wicket-keeper for Virat Kohli and Co. in the longest format of the game. Along with Saha, Sunrisers also have veteran Mohammad Nabi (who is also 35-year-old) in their ranks. David Warner (33) is also a prolific veteran of Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Youngest- Abdul Samad

The Jammu & Kashmir-born player was roped in by the franchise for his base price of INR 20 lakh. Samad, who made his T20 debut during the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, is regarded as one of the talented players across the domestic circuit.

In his short yet impressive First-class career for Jammu and Kashmir, Samad has already grabbed the attention by amassing 379 runs in five matches at an average of 54.15. The 18-year-old already has two tons under his belt. There are slim chances of Samad getting a chance in the playing XI due to the star-studded batting force of Sunrisers Hyderabad.

However, the right-hander can learn many things while sharing the dressing room with prolific batsmen like David Warner, Kane Williamson and Manish Pandey. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s list of young prospects includes the names of Abhishek Sharma and Priyam Garg, and Rashid Khan and Syed Khaleel Ahmed.