IPL 2024: Team-wise oldest player in the league

The IPL is expected to return with its 17th edition in March-April 2024. Before the 2024 T20 World Cup, some renowned veterans will look to have a great time in the cash-rich league and knock on the doors of their national sides to participate in the marquee international event to be held in the West Indies and the United States.  

In the 16 years of the blockbuster T20 tournament, it’s witnessed some experienced stalwarts play an anchor role for their teams with their immense experiences. Back in 2008, when Rajasthan Royals (RR) became the first IPL champions, Shane Warne played a vital part with his experienced bowling skills and exceptional leadership talent.  

Similarly, MS Dhoni guided his CSK to the fourth title win with his leadership presence in 2021 and 2023. Eyes will be set on some veterans again in 2024 as they add value to their teams with their services. Discussing more, let’s know the oldest player from every side.

Here is the list of oldest players from each team in IPL 2024:

10. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)- Amit Mishra

Amit Mishra became a part of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2023 auction for INR 50 lakh. He justified his role in the side, picking up seven wickets in seven games at a frugal economy of 7.84. The veteran is 41 and is also the most-aged player in the LSG squad.

Mishra has been active in the league since 2008 and during his 16-year career, he has grabbed 173 wickets in 161 games at an economy of 7.38. In 2023, he made a comeback in the league after failing to get a team in 2022. The leg-break bowler will look to do wonders with the ball in the upcoming IPL edition.

9. Gujarat Titans (GT)- Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma looked sensational for Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 2023 IPL edition, ending up as the second-highest wicket-taker with 27 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 8.17. Mohit will endeavour to continue his excellent work with the ball for the Titans in 2024.

The 35-year-old is the most senior player in the GT squad. Back in 2013, he made his IPL debut in CSK’s jersey, picking up 20 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 6.43. In his 11-year league career, the right-arm bowler has bagged 119 wickets in 100 contests at an economy of 8.41.

8. Punjab Kings (PBKS)- Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan, 38, is the oldest stalwart in the PBKS squad. Noting his experience, the PBKS team management appointed him the team's skipper before the 2022 season. Captaining PBKS for two years, he couldn’t deliver the desired results to the team.

In the upcoming season, Punjab supporters will expect him to lead the team from the front and guide it to the trophy win. Like MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, Dhawan also made his debut in the maiden IPL season in 2008. The southpaw is the second-leading run-getter in the league, notching up 6617 runs with two tons and 50 half-centuries in 217 matches.

7. Rajasthan Royals (RR)- Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin is a vital part of the team in the RR squad. Riding on his experience and skills, RR have won some crucial games in the last two years. In 2024, he will be seen spearheading the Royals’ spin department again. He will receive the support of Yuzvendra Chahal and Adam Zampa as well.

The 37-year-old is also the oldest player in the RR camp. He has been playing in the cash-rich league for more than 14 years, and during his immense career, he has claimed 171 wickets in 197 matches at an economy of 7.01. His notable performance came in 2011 when he got 20 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 6.15 while representing CSK.

Also check: IPL 2024: Team-wise youngest player in the league

6. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)- Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will spearhead Sunrisers Hyderabad’s fast-bowling unit in the 2024 IPL. The 33-year-old has been serving Hyderabad since 2014 and currently, he is the leading wicket-taker for the team, with 146 wickets in 129 matches at a thrifty economy of 7.53. 

He is also the oldest player of the Orange Army, at the age of 33. The Meerut-born player is the only bowler to win the coveted Purple Cap for two consecutive years (2016 and 2017 editions). In SRH’s maiden title victory in 2016, he played an enormous part with the ball, clinching 23 wickets in 17 games at an economy of 7.42.

Bhuvenshwar’s fans are expecting him to make a comeback in the Indian team and the 2024 IPL edition will be a perfect opportunity for him to win a spot in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup team. He played his last international match against New Zealand at McLean Park in November 2022.

5. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)- Faf du Plessis

After the disappointing 2023 season, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis will back himself to lead the team confidently in 2024. The 39-year-old is the oldest servant of the team and as a captain, his responsibility will be to be effective with his leadership and batting.

Faf du Plessis looked spectacular as a batter for Challengers in 2023. With 730 runs in 14 games at a magnificent strike rate of 153.68, he ended up as the second-highest run-scorer in the competition. RCB supporters will keep their expectations high from their skipper for the upcoming IPL edition.

4. Delhi Capitals (DC)- David Warner

In Rishabh Pant’s absence, Delhi Capitals (DC) handed the captaincy mantle to David Warner for the 2023 season. Leading the side, the veteran failed to be impactful as the team ended up in the ninth spot in the tournament with only five wins in 14 contests. As a batter, the Australia player scored 516 runs for Hyderabad in 14 innings but at a dismal strike rate of 131.63.  

Warner, 37, is a crucial member of the DC side due to his huge experience. He is also the oldest player in the team. The veteran Aussie made his IPL debut in 2009 for DC but his best performance came in SRH colours in 2016. Notching up 848 runs in 17 games, he concluded the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer and also guided the Orange Army to their maiden and only trophy triumph.

3. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)- Andre Russell

Andre Russell has been associated with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) since 2014 and in these 10 years, he has amassed 2269 runs in 111 matches at a remarkable strike rate of 175.07. Currently, he is the third-most successful batter for Knight Riders after Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir. 

In 2023, he looked out of rhythm with both bat and ball. As a batter, he could score only 227 runs in 14 games at an average of 20.64. With the ball, he took seven wickets at a horrendous economy of 11.34. The 35-year-old Caribbean is the most senior player in the KKR squad and his record is something extraordinary which makes him a key part of the team.

Despite witnessing his dismal performance in the previous season, KKR showed faith in their experienced stalwart for 2024. In the upcoming IPL instalment, he will strive to regain his form to help his side become champions after 10 years.

2. Mumbai Indians (MI)- Rohit Sharma

Mumbai Indians (MI) have removed their veteran player Rohit Sharma from captaincy but he will be a part of the side for the 2024 season. The former MI skipper is 36 and is also the most senior stalwart in the side. Under his captaincy, Mumbai won five trophies and became the most successful side in the league along with the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

In the last two seasons, he struggled with the bat, and noting his non-performance, the team management sacked him from the leadership role. The star player will look to showcase his batting mettle in MI colours and regain the trust of the team management.

Back in 2011, MI signed up Rohit in the fourth IPL auction. In his 13-year stint with MI, he has emerged as the leading run-scorer for the team with 5314 runs in 203 innings at a strike rate of 129.76 and an average of 29.52. Rohit might be seen in cricket’s shortest format for India again in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Before the massive international event, he will look to boost his confidence with some big runs in the cash-rich tournament.

1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)- MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the record-equalling fifth title in 2023, under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. Following this success, Dhoni became famous for his leadership skills again. The former India skipper is 42 now which makes him the most superior in the CSK team when it comes to age and experience. 

Dhoni’s leadership record is exceptional in the league. He has worn the leadership hat in 226 matches and emerged successful in 133 matches with a victory percentage of 58.84. Talking about his batting numbers, the wicketkeeper batter has accumulated 5082 runs in 250 games at a strike rate of 135.92. 

In the last three seasons, he has failed to justify his role with the bat but the CSK team management has overlooked his batting record as it is mesmerised with Dhoni’s marvellous leadership talent.