Top 10 Oldest debutants for India in ODIs

‘Better late than never’, a quote that can be associated with almost every aspect of life, some people get their due chance in time with a matter of luck or via a moment of brilliance while some have to wait and toil hard for theirs. With the recent trend of cricketers making successful debuts after 30 years of age such as Michael Hussey and Adam Voges, today we look at the oldest Indian cricketers to make their debuts for India in ODIs: 10. Tirumalai Srinivasan – 30 years 1 month and 10 days: Tirumalai Srinivasan. (Photo Source: The Hindu) The Chennai-born batsman was picked up by the national selectors for his consistent performances in all of the premier domestic tournaments from 1977 to 1980. But Srinivasan could not justify his talent by scoring just 10 runs in the only 2 ODIs he ever played for India. Sadly, he departed in 2010 due to brain cancer. Also check out – Top 10 Oldest cricketers to play T20Is 9. Utpal Chatterjee – 30 years 8 months and 23 days: Utpal Chatterjee. (Photo Source: Getty Images) A left-arm orthodox spinner, Chatterjee could turn the ball square under favourable conditions. He had decent outings in his first 2 games in the Asia Cup 1995 but was treated with disdain by the Kiwis soon, after which he was never picked again. A veteran spinner in domestic cricket, Utpal scalped a record 504 victims for Bengal and serves as the head coach of the team since 2008. 8. Bhagwat Chandrashekhar – 30 years 9 months and 4 days: Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, India (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) Ranked amongst the top leg spinners, Chandrashekhar was honoured with Arjun Award for cricket in 1972. Despite having a damaged right arm due to polio, Chandrasekhar along with E.A.S. Prasanna, Bishen Singh Bedi and Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan constituted the Indian spin quartet that dominated spin bowling during the 1960s and 1970s. Despite playing Test cricket for India since the age of 18, Chandrashekhar played his first and only ODI in 1976 where he took 3 wickets for 36 runs. 7. Faiz Fazal – 30 years 9 months 9 days: India batsman Faiz Fazal plays a shot during the third and final One Day. (Photo by JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images) The latest entrant in our list, Faiz Fazal made his debut against Zimbabwe on 15th June 2016 where he scored an unbeaten 55. After years of hard work and a dream season in 2015-16 where he scored tons in Deodhar Cup final and the Irani Cup, Fazal was included in the national squad for Zimbabwe 16 years after the last Indian player made his debut in the thirties. His ability to score big on big occasions makes him stand out from the rest. Also check out – Top 10 Oldest players to score ODI century 6. Chetan Chauhan – 31 Years 2 Months 12 Days: Chetan Chauhan. (Photo by Parveen Negi/India Today Group/Getty Images) Forming the most successful opening pair for India with Sunil Gavaskar, Chauhan enjoyed a fruitful Test career but couldn’t repeat his heroics in limited overs cricket. Though he was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1981, Chauhan could muster only 153 runs in 7 ODIs with the highest score of 46. After retirement, he was appointed as one of the selectors for North Zone. He has also held the post of the DDCA president. 5. Sameer Dighe – 31 years 3 months and 2 days: Sameer Dighe. (Photo Source: Getty Images) When the selectors picked Dighe in 1999, he had almost given up on hopes of playing for the national team. While Sourav Ganguly expected him to be the first choice wicket keeper for the team, numerous errors made sure he could stretch his ODI career only up to 23 outings after which he was replaced. 4. Syed Abid Ali – 32 years 11 months and 4 days: Syed Abid Ali. (Photo Source: Mid-day) One of the first renowned all-rounders in Indian cricket, Syed Abid Ali played a significant part in the overseas tours for India. But a late entry into the ODI squad when his form was dipping made sure that he could play only 5 ODIs for India. After that, he coached Maldives, UAE and Andhra teams. Ali currently resides in California where he is the head coach at Sanford Cricket Academy. Also read – Top 10 Oldest Players to Score a Test Ton 3. Dilip Doshi – 32 years 10 months and 14 days: Dilip Doshi. (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Patrick Eagar Collection via Getty Images) This left-arm spinner from Rajkot produced his best bowling figures of 4/30 on his ODI debut against New Zealand at the Gabba. Doshi played Test cricket under the shadow of great Bishen Singh Bedi but despite having an impressive record in ODIs, he was replaced due to his poor fielding skills by Ravi Shastri for the 1983 World Cup. 2. Ajit Wadekar – 33 years 3 months and 12 days: Left handed Indian cricketer Ajit Laxman Wadekar. (Photo by Leonard Burt/Central Press/Getty Images) After waiting for 8 long years on the first-class level, Wadekar made his Test debut in 1966 but had to wait until 1974 for a place in the limited overs side. The Government of India honoured him with the Arjuna Award in 1967. Despite leading India to historic Test wins against England and West Indies, Wadekar was forced to retire early due to the disastrous tour of England in 1974 which meant that he played only 2 ODIs in which he scored 67* and 3. 1. Farokh Engineer – 36 Years 4 Months and 18 Days: Farokh Engineer. (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) The oldest Indian cricketer to debut in ODIs in 1975, Farokh Engineer served as the first choice wicket keeper for the Test team since 1961. Making his ODI debut in the twilight of his career, he could score only 114 runs in 5 matches. Famous for his good looks and style, Engineer was signed up by Brylcreem for modelling after Keith Miller and Dennis Compton. Currently, Engineer is serving as one of the match referees in the IPL. Also check out – Top 10 Oldest Test players still alive (All stats updated till 16th June 2016)

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