5 Youngest ODI debutants for India

Since the world cup victory of 1983, cricket saw an enormous rise in the Indian subcontinent. Children started playing at a very young age with Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 matches becoming a rage among the aspiring cricketers.

Hundreds of young and energetic players tried their hands to break into the national side, but only a few were successful. Debuting at a tender age of 16 or 17 has its pros and cons. Not all could stand the test of time and thus, faded in the crowd.

But every cloud has a silver lining, and several names like Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh became overnight sensations. For them, the rest, as they say, is history.

Let's take a look at five of the youngest ODI debutants for India.

#5 Laxmi Ratan Shukla

Age: 17 years 320 days

Matches: 3

Runs: 18

Average: 9

Laxmi Ratan Shukla made his ODI debut at a young age of 17 against Sri Lanka in 1998. A handy allrounder, he had already impressed everyone with his stellar performance in the 1997/98 season of the Ranji Trophy representing the state of Bengal.

However, his International stint lasted only for three matches in total, and the management never considered him for national duty again.

One of the few players with 5000 runs and 150 wickets in Ranji Trophy, Shukla played in the Indian Premier League from 2008-2015 representing KKR for the first six years and moving to Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad for a year each.

On 30 December 2015, he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

#4 Parthiv Patel

Age: 17 years 301 days

Matches: 38

Runs: 736

Average: 23.74

Parthiv Patel made headlines when then-captain Sourav Ganguly scouted him to replace Dinesh Mongia as a regular full-time wicketkeeper. Making his ODI debut at the age of 17 against New Zealand in 2003, his first stint was interrupted when the selectors picked Rahul Dravid over him as a makeshift wicketkeeper to allow the use of an extra batsman or bowler.

In a two year span, Parthiv played only 13 matches usually when Dravid was injured or being rested. His career graph suffered when MS Dhoni became a mainstay in the Indian side for the next decade.

With a total of 38 one-day internationals, Parthiv Patel remains one of India's most underrated batsmen. He did make a comeback in 2010 and hit consecutive half-centuries, but luck did not favour him, and it's been more than six years since he last played a 50-over match for the national side

#3 Harbhajan Singh

Age: 17 years 288 days

Matches: 236

Wickets: 269

Average: 33.35

A 17-year veteran of the game, Harbhajan Singh made his ODI debut against New Zealand in 1998 at a mere age of 17. Coming from the industrial town of Ludhiana, Harbhajan's outstanding performances in the Under-15 and Under-19 seasons caught the eyes of the selectors, and thus, the journey of "Turbanator" took off.

A career full of ups and downs, "Bhajji" had to face uncertainties at several instances but came back stronger each time to keep his place in the playing XI. From facing investigations regarding the legality of his bowling action to disciplinary incidents, Harbhajan is regarded for his ball control and ability to vary his length and pace, with the famous "Doosra" claiming a good amount of his total of 269 wickets.

On his day, there weren't many better than him. Sporadic batting cameos along with getting under the skin of the opposition had India see victories at a plethora of occasions.

#2 Maninder Singh

Age: 17 years 222 days

Matches: 59

Wickets: 136

Average: 21

Supposed to be the next big thing in Indian Cricket, Maninder Singh, a left-arm orthodox spinner, made his ODI debut against Pakistan in 1993 when he was only 17. Considered as an heir to the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi, Maninder had the reputation of possessing a huge variety in his arsenal.

He is often credited to have bowled an over, in which each of the six balls would be different than the previous one juggling with flight, length, and spin. With 136 wickets from just 39 ODIs, Maninder Singh was set to be a huge sensation, but personal reasons and rumoured internal politics had his international career cut short. In his last days as a cricketer, his inefficiency also led to his premature retirement.

Maninder Singh may have his share of controversies, but his phenomenal bowling records in international cricket will be remembered for years to come.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar

Age: 16 years 238 days

Matches: 463

Runs: 18,426

Average: 44.83

As if breaking batting records was not enough, Sachin Tendulkar remains the youngest ODI debutant for India. His career started as early as 16, almost a year before the second placed Maninder Singh. Sachin was included in the Indian team for the Pakistan tour of 1989 where he first made his Test debut against the fiery attack of Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, and Waqar Younis.

His first ODI runs came against New Zealand when he scored a modest 36 but left an impact with classy strokes which were imprinted on the hearts of fans worldwide. What happened next is history, for Sachin went on to play a mammoth 463 games shattering all records, playing countless match-winning knocks, and finally getting his hands on the prized ICC World Cup in 2011.

A Player like Sachin Tendulkar is not just a treat to watch but emotion to many.