Stats: Risbhab Pant becomes the youngest captain in the Ranji Trophy final

Rishabh Pant made a name for himself ever since his Under-19 days for his big-hitting ability and his aggressive play of scoring from the go. Pant stood as India’s second highest run-getter in the 2016 U19 CWC with 267 runs that came at an S/R of 104.29. During the 2016/17 Ranji Trophy season, Pant amassed 972 runs and nearly became the youngest player to aggregate 1000 runs in a Ranji season.

Rishabh recorded India’s fastest FC hundred and hit a total of 49 sixes in the season where he scored his runs at an S/R of 107.28 to knock the doors of the national team. Pant gained a place in ‘A’ tours and even featured in a couple of T20Is after his batting exploits. However, his performances in the ongoing 2017/18 aren’t up to the mark as he aggregated only 283 runs in the eight innings with one fifty.

Despite his mediocre performances, Rishabh had a season to remember due to his team Delhi who made it to the finals for the first time in a decade. The 20-year-old led the team in the absence of Ishant Sharma, their regular captain for this season. With the pacer travelling for the South Africa tour, Pant got an opportunity to captain Delhi in the knockouts and is currently leading them in the Final against Vidarbha at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.

At the age of 20 years and 86 days, Rishabh Pant became the youngest captain in a Ranji Trophy Final. Sachin Tendulkar was the previous youngest captain in a Ranji Final when he led Mumbai the age of 21 years and 337 days in the 1994/95 Final against Punjab. Interesting fact about Rishabh Pant here is that he is the youngest member of the Delhi’s playing XI in the Final. Rishabh also became the first Delhi wicketkeeper-captain in a Ranji Trophy final.

As many as six captains including Pant led their respective teams in a Ranji Trophy final before turning 24 but only two ended up winning the title. Sachin won the Ranji title in the 1994/95 season when he became the youngest captain in a final. Vijay Merchant too won the title leading Bombay in the 1944/45 season at the age of 23 years and 143 days.

Youngest captains in Ranji Trophy finals:

(These cricket stats are as on December 29, 2017)