# 5 Oldest Players to Make International Debut for India

URL: https://technosports.co.in/oldest-players-to-make-international-debut-for/  
Published: 2025-02-09  
Updated: 2025-02-10  
Author: REMYA BABU S

Oldest Players to Make International Debut for India : Age is just a number in cricket, and several players have proven that making an international debut in their 30s is not an obstacle to success. One such inspiring name added to this list is **[Varun Chakaravarthy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varun_Chakravarthy)**, who recently became India’s **second-oldest ODI debutant** at the age of **33 years and 164 days**. His journey from architecture to international cricket is nothing short of remarkable.

> IND vs ENG 2nd ODI: Varun Chakaravarthy receives debut cap from Ravindra Jadeja  
>   
> Watch video: [https://t.co/U9rF0V8sFR](https://t.co/U9rF0V8sFR)[https://t.co/U9rF0V8sFR](https://t.co/U9rF0V8sFR)
>
> — WION Sports (@WIONSportsNews) [February 9, 2025](https://twitter.com/WIONSportsNews/status/1888553439501651972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## ***Oldest Players to Make International Debut for India : 5 Oldest Players to Debut for India***

### **Top 5 Oldest Players to Debut for India in International Cricket**

| Rank | Player | Age | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **Farokh Engineer** | 36y 138d | England | Leeds | 1974 |
| 2 | **Varun Chakaravarthy** | 33y 164d | England | Cuttack | 2025 |
| 3 | **Ajit Wadekar** | 33y 103d | England | Leeds | 1974 |
| 4 | **Dilip Doshi** | 32y 350d | Australia | Melbourne | 1980 |
| 5 | **Syed Abid Ali** | 32y 307d | England | Leeds | 1974      |

### **1. Farokh Engineer – India’s Oldest ODI Debutant (36 years, 138 days)**

A stylish wicketkeeper-batsman, **Farokh Engineer** made his **ODI debut for India at 36 years and 138 days** against England in **Leeds in 1974**. Known for his flamboyant stroke play and excellent glovework, Engineer was a vital part of the Indian team in the 1960s and 70s. His late debut in ODIs was due to the format being introduced much later in his career.

> 🔔 Varun Chakaravarthy becomes India's oldest ODI debutant since their inaugural match in 1974 at 33y 164d! 🧢🎯  
>   
> 🇮🇳 Oldest ODI Debutants for India:  
>   
> 36y 138d Farokh Engineer (1974)  
>   
> 33y 164d Varun Chakaravarthy (2025)*  
>   
> 33y 103d Ajit Wadekar (1974)  
>   
> 32y 350d Dilip Doshi (1980)… [pic.twitter.com/lovXFrpaUC](https://t.co/lovXFrpaUC)
>
> — SportsTiger (@The_SportsTiger) [February 9, 2025](https://twitter.com/The_SportsTiger/status/1888514952849473539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

### **2. Varun Chakaravarthy – 33 Years, 164 Days**

**Varun Chakaravarthy**‘s journey to international cricket is nothing short of extraordinary. Initially an **architect**, he left his profession to follow his passion for cricket, eventually breaking into the IPL, and later the **Indian national team**.

📌 **ODI Debut**: Against **England** in **Cuttack, 2025**  
📌 **T20I Success**: Named **Man of the Series** in India’s **4-1 T20I win against England**, taking **14 wickets at an average of 9.68**.  
📌 **List A Record**: Holds the **best bowling average in List A cricket (14.13)**.

His late debut hasn’t stopped him from making an impact, and he continues to be a promising bowler in India’s white-ball setup.

> वरुण चक्रवर्ती का आज odi मैच में debut हुआ   
>   
> Debut 🧢 ✅  
>   
> Varun Chakaravarthy will make his first appearance for [#TeamIndia](https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) in an ODI ✨  
>   
> Updates ▶️ [https://t.co/EUbPVsALzO](https://t.co/EUbPVsALzO)…[#INDvENG](https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvENG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) | [@IDFCFIRSTBank](https://twitter.com/IDFCFIRSTBank?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) | [@chakaravarthy29](https://twitter.com/chakaravarthy29?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/MgExjBRJwm](https://t.co/MgExjBRJwm)
>
> — Rahul_Rkp_009 (@Rahul_rkp_009) [February 9, 2025](https://twitter.com/Rahul_rkp_009/status/1888561196753908192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

### **3. Ajit Wadekar – 33 Years, 103 Days**

A former India **Test captain**, **Ajit Wadekar** made his ODI debut at **33 years and 103 days** against **England in 1974**. Wadekar was instrumental in leading India to historic Test victories against England and West Indies in 1971. Though his ODI career was short, he played a crucial role in shaping Indian cricket.

> 1970s :: Ajit Wadekar Playing In England [#RIP](https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)  
>   
> ( Photo – [@GettyImages](https://twitter.com/GettyImages?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ) [pic.twitter.com/bIFFtOO5la](https://t.co/bIFFtOO5la)
>
> — indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) [August 15, 2018](https://twitter.com/IndiaHistorypic/status/1029785280637677568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

### **4. Dilip Doshi – 32 Years, 350 Days**

A highly skilled left-arm spinner, **Dilip Doshi** made his international debut **just 15 days before turning 33** against **Australia in Melbourne, 1980**. He was one of the rare players to make his debut after turning 30 but went on to have a successful career, taking **114 wickets in 33 Tests**.

> Destiny does play a huge role in life & sport. In another world, this former 🇮🇳 left arm spinner may have easily played a 100 Tests.  
>   
> With his immaculate control over flight & turn, he was a true magician who loved to deceive the batsmen in the air.  
>   
> Happy Birthday Dilip Doshi ❤️ [pic.twitter.com/LhwCrJz6wh](https://t.co/LhwCrJz6wh)
>
> — Farzan Kawas Arjani (@SACHforever) [December 22, 2024](https://twitter.com/SACHforever/status/1870665945196474542?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

### **5. Syed Abid Ali – 32 Years, 307 Days**

A dependable all-rounder, **Syed Abid Ali** made his ODI debut at **32 years and 307 days** against **England in 1974**. Known for his **medium-pace bowling and aggressive batting**, he was an essential part of India’s team in the 1960s and 70s.

> HappyBirthday to one of India's unsung cricketing heroes – Syed Abid Ali.  
> 6/55 vs Aus on debut at Adelaide in '67, 78 & 81 as opener at Sydney in '68, hitting the winning runs at Oval in '71, electric fielder … he would have been a hit in IPL. 💞  
> Have a good one, Abid Sir. [pic.twitter.com/pcBAaGfzu9](https://t.co/pcBAaGfzu9)
>
> — North Stand Gang – Wankhede (@NorthStandGang) [September 9, 2019](https://twitter.com/NorthStandGang/status/1170907219346354176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The stories of **Farokh Engineer, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ajit Wadekar, Dilip Doshi, and Syed Abid Ali** prove that age is no barrier in cricket. Whether it’s **a young prodigy or a late bloomer**, performance and perseverance ultimately determine success.

With **Varun Chakaravarthy** now carrying the torch, Indian cricket continues to celebrate **talent at all ages**. Who knows? Maybe we’ll see more players making their debut in their **30s** in the coming years!

## FAQs

### Who is the oldest Indian player to debut in ODIs?

Farokh Engineer, at 36 years and 138 days.

### At what age did Varun Chakaravarthy make his ODI debut?

33 years and 164 days.

**Read more: [IPL 2025 Retentions: Full List of Retained and Released Players, Remaining Purse, RTM Cards & Confirmed Captains](https://technosports.co.in/ipl-2025-retentions-players-purse-rtm-captains/)**