From Varun Chakaravarthy to India’s first Fielder: Oldest Indian players to mark their ODI debut

Farokh Engineer

India’s in-form spinner Varun Chakaravarthy marked his ODI debut in February 2025, during the second ODI of the three-match series against England. Varun topped the record books as he became the oldest cricketer to make an ODI debut.

Varun Chakaravarthy

Varun made his ODI but after his brilliant performance in T20I cricket. He secured 14 wickets in five T20I matches against England. he is a bowler who has an average of 14.13 in 50 or more List A matches.

Ajit Wadekar

Former Indian Test captain Ajit Wadekar marked his debut in ODI matches in 1974, when he was 33 years and 103 days old. Along with debut for Wadekar, it was also the maiden ODI match for the Indian team, where the team lost by 4 wickets.

Syed Abid Ali

Left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi marked his ODI debut when he was 32 years and 350 days old. At the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1980, he secured 3 wickets for 32 runs against Australia. India had won that match by 66 runs.

Pacer Syed Abid Ali is the first fielder of the Indian team. He was 32 years and 3-7 days old as he marked his debut in ODI against England on July 13,1947, where he scored 17 runs. England had won that match by 4 wickets.