5 Oldest players to make Test debut for India

Every childhood dream of a cricketer is to represent his country, and they try their best and work hard to achieve the goal. Two matches are extraordinary for a cricketer. The first is when he debuts, and the second is when he plays the last game of his career. But surviving and representing is very difficult because of competition. The most remarkable thing for anyone can be to play test cricket for their country. Test cricket is a game of patience, temperament and understanding. Not everyone survives this format. Some players play all three forms in today’s generation. But, few are called ‘Test Specialists’, and they majorly play test cricket. Test debut for India is extraordinary for everyone, and at whatever age you get selected, the test match will surely be in everyone’s memory. 

In this article, we will talk about 5 Oldest players to make their Test debut for India. 

5. CK Nayudu – 36 years and 238 days

When players thought of retiring, CK Nayudu was about to represent India in test cricket and was the first test captain of India in 1932. Even though he could’ve played only seven matches in his Test career, he’s known to set the base for the Indian team in that era.

Nayudu was also the first cricketer to endorse a brand. CK Nayudu played cricket until he had potential, and indeed for him, age was just a number. CK Nayudu was also the first Cricketer to win Padma Bhushan. Certainly, first things are always unique. The Indian team’s first-ever test captain was also special to create a base and a foundation for Indian Cricket.

4. SN Banerjee – 37 years and 124 days

Sarodindu Nath Banerjee’s Test debut for India happened when he was 37 years old. Also known as ‘Shute Banerjee’ played only one test match throughout his career. Banerjee was a Right-hand batsman and a Right-arm fast-medium bowler. In 1936 and 1946, he travelled to England with the Indian side but was unfortunately not selected to play in the 11.

Shute Banerjee only played 1 test, but he played 138 first-class matches and scored 3715 runs and grabbed 385 wickets in his 138 games. Luck wasn’t favouring him, but was quite good in the first-class games.

3. Keki Khurshedji Tarapore –  37 years and 329 days

KK Tarapore was a left-arm orthodox bowler and played his only test match against West Indies. Keki Tarapore played 40 first-class games and clinched 148 wickets. Keki Tarapore might not have played enough international competitions, but he is known for his administrative role for the Indian team. 

Tarapore managed the Indian team to England in 1967 and against West Indies in 1971. His international career might be short, but he was one of the finest bowlers in first-class cricket during that period.

2. C Ramaswami – 40 years and 39 days

Cotah Ramaswami is the second-oldest cricketer to represent India. A left-hand batsman who played two tests in his career, had a batting average of 56.66 in test cricket. He played only two games, but he created his impact by scoring 170 runs overall with a high score of 60. 

In 53 first-class games, he scored 2400 runs averaging 28.91 and also had 30 wickets. It is also said that Ramaswami was an attacking left-handed batsman. 

1. Rustomji Jamshedji – 41 years and 27 days

Can someone imagine playing for India at the age of 41? Rustomji Jamshedji was the one who is the oldest Indian to play test cricket at 41. He played against England, and that was his first and the last test match that he ever played. He was a left-arm spinner, and in his first test match, he clinched 3/137 in the first innings. So even though India lost the game, but his first inning’s performance was satisfactory. 

Rustomji had 134 wickets by playing 29 first-class matches at an average of 22.12. So, here’s the list of the 5 Oldest players to make the Test debut for India.