The Indian Premier League (IPL) title is one of the most highly coveted pieces of silverware in world cricket. Every year, eight teams battle it out in the world’s premier T20 competition. The tournament never fails to deliver, as every year, we witness thrills, spills and drama aplenty before one team finally lifts the IPL crown.
This league has also produced many batting talents while being in their teens over the course of 13 editions till date. There are number of players who got a chance in the cash-rich league soon after being part of the Under-19 World Cup.
Overall, IPL has proven to be an important platform for many youngsters, who got to showcase their talent and make a mark for themselves in the cricketing world.
In this article, we will look at the 4 youngest players to score an IPL half-century:
1. Riyan Parag: 17 Years 175 Days vs Delhi Capitals (2019)
It’s was a great day in the cricketing history of Assam – at the tender age of 17 years and 175 days, Guwahati boy Riyan Parag became the youngest player to score a half-century in the Indian Premier League.
Playing against the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2019, Rajasthan Royals made only 119/9 in their last league match, but the young and talented batsman from Assam was the star attraction of the innings as he made 50 runs in 49 balls.
Riyan Parag, son of former Assam Ranji Trophy player, hit four boundaries and two sixes to find a place in the history of T20 IPL.
The young Assam all-rounder was part of the champion team of the U-19 ICC World Cup 2018. He is the second player from Assam (after Abu Nechim) to play the IPL.
In 2018-19, Riyan was the top scorer from Assam in Vijay Hazare tournament, and scored 248 from seven matches.
2. Sanju Samaon: 18 Years 169 Days vs RCB (2013)
Kerala boy Sanju Samson smashed a fifty representing Rajasthan Royals in the 2013 edition well before turning 19. In only his 2nd match, Samson smashed 63 runs from only 41 deliveries to help the Royals chase down a target of 172 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Interestingly, Sanju was only 18 years and 169 days old when he achieved this feat.
3. Prithvi Shaw: 18 Years 169 Days vs KKR (2018)
What could Delhi Daredevils possibly be happy about amid their struggling season in the Indian Premier League 2018? Well, Prithvi Shaw, that year brought some smile in Delhi’s dugout as he brought up his first IPL milestone in his debut season. Playing his second match for Delhi Daredevils, Shaw smashed a 38-ball fifty against Kolkata Knight Riders at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi to become the joint-youngest player to notch up an IPL half-century.
Opening his innings alongside New Zealand’s Colin Munro, the youngster fired seven boundaries and two sixes en route to his 44-ball knock of 62 runs to take Delhi’s score well past 100 and also lace a crucial 50-run partnership with the newly-appointed skipper Shreyas Iyer.
En route to his 62-run knock, Prithvi achieved his maiden IPL milestone of a half-century in just 38 balls. With that and with his age of 18 years and 169 days, he became the joint-youngest batsman to achieve the mark.
4. Rishabh Pant: 18 Years 212 Days vs Gujarat Lions (2016)
Rishabh Pant, who got a chance of opening the innings for Delhi Daredevils in Indian Premier League 2016, smashed 69 from only 40 deliveries against the new IPL team Gujarat Lions. The Delhi batsman was 18 years and 212 days old at the time of his maiden IPL fifty. The 18-year-old Pant also won his first Man of the Match award in the IPL for his crucial contribution.
