The IPL has always been a melting pot for emerging cricketing talent, and one of the most exciting developments in recent years has been the rise of young captains. It’s one thing to play the game, but leading a team in the high-pressure world of IPL is a different challenge altogether. And this year, Riyan Parag, the young star from Rajasthan Royals (RR), has claimed his spot in IPL history, becoming the 5th youngest captain ever in the tournament’s history after it was confirmed that Sanju Samson would play the first 3 matches purely as a batter.
Let’s look back at the top 5 youngest captains in IPL history and explore how they achieved their place in the cricketing elite, and what makes Parag’s entry into this list even more significant.
The Top 5 Youngest IPL Captains:
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Virat Kohli – 22 Years, 4 Months, 6 Days: In 2011, Kohli stepped in as the captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during an injury to Daniel Vettori. His leadership journey began with a win against Rajasthan Royals. Under his leadership, RCB never won the IPL, but Virat's aggressive style and ability to lead from the front helped establish the team as a powerhouse. Kohli’s contribution to Indian cricket both on and off the field is immeasurable. Kohli's tenure represented the emergence of a new breed of captains in the IPL, where youth was not only encouraged but celebrated.
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Steve Smith – 22 Years, 11 Months, 9 Days: Smith's captaincy debut came in 2012 with Pune Warriors India (PWI) after Sourav Ganguly's resignation. Smith was lauded for his calm demeanour and strategic mind. He wasn’t as flamboyant as some of his contemporaries, but his tactical brilliance was undeniable. His IPL career continued with Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiant, where he led both teams with poise and intelligence.
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Shreyas Iyer – 23 Years, 3 Months, 21 Days: Iyer took over as Delhi Capitals' captain in 2018 after Gautam Gambhir's departure. Under his leadership, the team reached the playoffs in 2019 and the final in 2020, showcasing fearless cricket with a young squad. His leadership style was marked by calmness in pressure situations, a feature that was crucial for DC’s resurgence in the IPL. Iyer’s aggressive approach in both batting and captaincy brought Delhi back into contention after years of underperformance.
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Suresh Raina – 23 Years, 3 Months, 22 Days: Suresh Raina may have played second fiddle to MS Dhoni for most of his career, but when Dhoni was unavailable, Raina was trusted with the responsibility of captaining Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2010 IPL season. CSK won the title that year, proving that Raina was an able deputy to the legendary MSD. His versatility and aggressive batting earned him the respect of his teammates and fans alike.
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Riyan Parag – 23 Years, 4 Months, 10 Days: In 2025, Parag was appointed as the stand-in captain for Rajasthan Royals for the first three matches, with Sanju Samson only available to play as a pure batter. This move made him the 5th youngest captain in IPL history. Parag’s rise as a leader has been nothing short of extraordinary. Known for his fiery batting, Parag has been Rajasthan’s key player over the past few seasons. His appointment as the captain shows the team’s confidence in nurturing young leaders and adding fresh blood to the leadership pool. It also provided an insight into how Parag is ahead of the other young star, Yashasvi Jaiswal, in the RR pecking order.
Riyan Parag's Rapid Rise:
Parag's swift ascent to leadership is noteworthy. Starting with Rajasthan Royals in 2019, he consistently showcased his batting prowess. In the 2024 season, he emerged as the team's top run-scorer with 573 runs, including four half-centuries. This performance earned him debut appearances for India in both T20I and ODI formats.
A New Era of Young Captains
With Riyan Parag now joining the list of the youngest IPL captains, the league is embracing a new wave of youthful leadership. Players like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Ruturaj Gaikwad are already at the helm of their teams, signaling a clear shift toward the future. As the old guard gradually steps aside, these rising stars are ready to take over the reins. Parag's appointment is a perfect example of the growing trend of young players being trusted to lead, a shift that has already shown great success in international cricket.
As the IPL continues to evolve, we’re set to witness more young captains like Parag emerge, carrying the weight of their franchises and shaping the future of Indian cricket.
