Players who debut after the age of 30 for India in T20I

Breaking into the international arena is a remarkable achievement, especially for players who debut later in their careers. For Indian cricketers who have made their mark past the age of 30, their stories are a testament to perseverance and exceptional domestic performances. Here, we explore the journeys of several such players, detailing why their international debut came later than most and how their performances during their debut years shaped their careers.

Let’s take a closer look at those Players who Debut After the Age of 30

Stuart Binny

Binny made his T20 debut for India in 2014 at the age of 31 years and 51 days. His late entry into the Indian team was due to the intense competition and India’s established squad during that period. Binny was known for his all-round abilities in domestic cricket but faced challenges breaking into the national team. His chance came due to injuries and form issues among other players.

In 2015, he played 2 T20Is and scored 35 runs at an average of 17.50. His strike rate was 120.68, but he didn’t manage to score any half-centuries or centuries. Unlike his IPL career, Binny didn’t have a good run in T20I.

T20I Stats:

Mats	Inns (Bat)	Runs	HS	Avg	SR	100s	50s
3	2	35	24	17.50	120.68	0	0

Mats	Inns (Bowl)	Overs	Wkts	BBF	Eco	Avg	SR	4-wkt
3	3	5	1	1/14	10.8	54.00	30.0	N/A

Rahul Tripathi

Tripathi made his T20I debut in 2023 at the age of 31 years and 317 days. His late debut was attributed to the fierce competition for T20 spots as an opener as Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli had a stranglehold on the top 3 spots. Tripathi’s consistent performances in the IPL, particularly his standout innings, earned him a spot in the squad. In 2023, he played 5 T20Is, scoring 97 runs with an average of 19.40 and a strike rate of 144.77, though he did not score any half-centuries or centuries.

T20I Stats:

Mats	Inns (Bat)	Runs	HS	Avg	SR	100s	50s
5	5	97	44	19.40	144.77	0	0

Sreenath Aravind

Aravind made his T20I debut in 2011 at the age of 31 years and 184 days. Despite a successful domestic career, Aravind’s national selection was limited due to inconsistent performances at the international level and competition from other bowlers. His inclusion in the squad came as a result of injuries to key players and his strong domestic T20 performances. In his only T20I match in 2011, he bowled 3.4 overs, conceded 44 runs, and took 1 wicket. The lackluster performance hindered any progress on his international stage.

T20I Stats:

Mats	Inns (Bowl)	Overs	Wkts	BBF	Eco	Avg	SR	4-wkt
1	1	3.4	1	1/44	2.00	44.00	22.0	N/A

Harshal Patel

Patel made his T20I debut in 2021 at the age of 30 years and 362 days. Patel’s selection was driven by his impressive performances in the IPL, where he was one of the top wicket-takers in 2021. His exceptional skills as a death-overs bowler and the need for a specialist in that role led to his inclusion. In 2021, he played 2 T20Is, taking 4 wickets in 7 overs with an average of 12.75 and an economy rate of 7.28. Unfortunately for Patel, he couldn’t deliver a jaw-dropping performance to make the selectors tilt their heads.

T20I Stats:

Mats	Inns (Bowl)	Overs	Wkts	BBF	Eco	Avg	SR	4-wkt
25	24	83.5	29	4/25	9.18	26.55	17.3	1

Sandeep Warrier

Sandeep Warrier debuted in T20Is in 2021 at the age of 30 years and 116 days. His selection was a result of his consistent domestic performances and the need for additional space options in the Indian squad due to certain injuries. However, big names like Jaspirt Bumrah, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, and Muhammad Shami hindered Warrier’s chances. In his only T20I match in 2021, he bowled 3 overs, conceded 23 runs, and did not take any wickets.

T20I Stats:

Mats	Inns (Bowl)	Overs	Wkts	BBF	Eco	Avg	SR	4-wkt
1	1	3.0	0	N/A	7.66	N/A	N/A	N/A

Suryakumar Yadav

Surya made his T20I debut in 2021 at the age of 30 years and 180 days. Suryakumar Yadav’s late debut was due to the highly competitive nature of the T20 format and the presence of established stars in the Indian team. His inclusion was a result of his outstanding performances in the IPL, where he showcased his explosive batting skills.

In 2021, he played 11 T20Is, scoring 244 runs with an average of 34.85 and a strike rate of 155.41. He scored 3 half-centuries but no centuries. Now, Yadav is the captain of India’s T20I squad and is on course to dethrone Rohit Sharma for the record of most sixes in T20I.

T20I Stats:

Mats	Inns (Bat)	Runs	HS	Avg	SR	100s	50s
71	68	2432	117	42.66	168.65	4	20