Last Update on: June 7th, 2020 at 08:00 pm
Leading a cricket team at a tender age is never easy whether in Tests, ODIs or T20Is. Despite that, some selectors have blooded a handful of cricketers for the role while new to international cricket. One of the primary reasons might be to inflict a brand new set of energy within the team after any kind of controversy or upheaval.
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As such, even in India, such changes have taken place or enforced by the selectors. The selectors picked the leader based on how well that athlete is in terms of skills. Few of them were able to translate their cricketing abilities to leadership skills. On the other hand, the remaining were better off as players.
We take a look at five youngest cricketers to lead India in ODIs:
Virat Kohli – 24 years, 239 days:
Current Indian captain Virat Kohli lead the nation for the first time in ODIs in 2013 for MS Dhoni. It got off to the worst possible start as Sri Lanka cantered to 348 off their stipulated 50 overs in Kingston. Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene opening partnership lasted for 39 overs before Angelo Mathews applied the finishing touches. Kohli’s two overs of medium pace couldn’t work the magic either, conceding nine runs for no wicket.
When batting, it all came crashing down for the men in blue as they found themselves reeling at 65-4 in the 19th over. Kohli, who was the stand-in captain, departed for a couple as Mathews sent him back. India inevitably lost the match by 161 runs. As a full-time captain now, the 31-year old has 62 wins out of 89 games that he has captained in.