The IPL is set to make a comeback with its 17th edition in March-April 2024. Ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup, seasoned players are gearing up to make a mark in the lucrative league and vie for spots in their national squads for the prestigious international event scheduled in the West Indies and the United States.
Over the course of the 16-year blockbuster T20 tournament, experienced stalwarts have consistently played anchor roles for their teams, leveraging their wealth of experience. In the inaugural IPL season in 2008, Shane Warne played a pivotal role for Rajasthan Royals, contributing with his seasoned bowling skills and exceptional leadership, ultimately leading the team to become the first IPL champions.
Similarly, MS Dhoni showcased his leadership prowess, guiding CSK to their fourth title win in 2021 and 2023. As the 2024 season approaches, all eyes will be on these veterans as they aim to enhance their teams with their invaluable contributions. Delving further, let’s explore the oldest player from each team.
IPL 2024 Oldest Players Team Wise
1. Amit Mishra (41 Years Old) LSG
In the 2023 auction, Amit Mishra joined the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for INR 50 lakh. Demonstrating his worth in the team, the 41-year-old picked up seven wickets in seven games, boasting an impressive economy of 7.84. Mishra holds the distinction of being the most aged player in the LSG squad.
Having actively participated in the league since 2008, Mishra has enjoyed a 16-year career, amassing 173 wickets in 161 games at an economy of 7.38. After missing out on a team in 2022, the seasoned leg-break bowler made a comeback in 2023 and is geared up to make a significant impact with the ball in the upcoming IPL edition.
2. Mohit Sharma (35 Years Old) GT
In the 2023 IPL edition, Mohit Sharma showcased his brilliance for the Gujarat Titans (GT), finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker with an impressive tally of 27 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 8.17. Mohit is poised to extend his outstanding bowling performance for the Titans in the upcoming 2024 season.
At 35 years old, he holds the distinction of being the most senior player in the GT squad. Making his IPL debut in 2013 with CSK, Mohit made an impact by securing 20 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of 6.43. Over his 11-year league career, the right-arm bowler has accumulated 119 wickets in 100 contests, maintaining an economy of 8.41.
3. Shikhar Dhawan (38 Years Old) PBKS
At 38 years old, Shikhar Dhawan stands as the most seasoned stalwart in the PBKS squad. Acknowledging his wealth of experience, the PBKS team management entrusted him with the captaincy before the 2022 season. Despite leading PBKS for two years, he couldn’t steer the team to the desired results.
In the forthcoming season, Punjab supporters anticipate Dhawan to lead from the front and guide the team to a triumphant finish. Similar to MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, Dhawan made his IPL debut in the inaugural 2008 season. The left-handed batsman holds the distinction of being the second-leading run-scorer in the league, amassing 6617 runs with two centuries and 50 half-centuries in 217 matches.
4. Ravichandran Ashwin (37 Year Old) RR
Ravichandran Ashwin holds a pivotal role in the RR squad, contributing significantly to the team’s victories in the past two years. Leveraging his experience and skills, Ashwin is set to spearhead the Royals’ spin department in the upcoming 2024 season, supported by Yuzvendra Chahal and Adam Zampa.
As the oldest player at 37 in the RR camp, Ashwin boasts over 14 years of participation in the cash-rich league. Throughout his illustrious career, he has secured 171 wickets in 197 matches at an economy of 7.01. One of his standout performances occurred in 2011 when he claimed 20 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 6.15 while representing CSK.
5. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (33 Years Old) SRH
In the upcoming 2024 IPL, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is set to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad’s fast-bowling unit. Having served Hyderabad since 2014, the 33-year-old currently holds the title of the leading wicket-taker for the team, boasting 146 wickets in 129 matches at an economical rate of 7.53.
As the oldest player of the Orange Army at the age of 33, the Meerut-born player stands as the sole bowler to secure the coveted Purple Cap for two consecutive years (2016 and 2017 editions). Notably, in SRH’s inaugural title victory in 2016, he played a pivotal role with the ball, clinching 23 wickets in 17 games at an economy of 7.42.
Bhuvneshwar’s fans are eagerly anticipating his comeback to the Indian team, and the 2024 IPL edition presents a perfect opportunity for him to secure a spot in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad. His last international match was against New Zealand at McLean Park in November 2022.
6. Faf du Plessis (39 Years Old) RCB
Following the disappointing 2023 season, RCB skipper Faf du Plessis is determined to lead the team confidently in 2024. The 39-year-old, the oldest servant of the team, shoulders the dual responsibility of effective leadership and impactful batting.
In the 2023 season, Faf du Plessis showcased his spectacular batting prowess for the Challengers. Accumulating 730 runs in 14 games at a magnificent strike rate of 153.68, he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer in the competition. RCB supporters have high expectations from their skipper as they look forward to the upcoming IPL edition.
Also read: IPL 2008 to IPL 2024: MS Dhoni & Others Playing Since Season 1
7. David Warner (37 Years Old) DC
In the absence of Rishabh Pant, Delhi Capitals (DC) entrusted the captaincy to David Warner for the 2023 season. Despite his leadership, the team struggled, finishing in the ninth spot with only five wins in 14 contests. As a batter, the veteran Australian scored 516 runs for Hyderabad in 14 innings but at a subpar strike rate of 131.63.
A crucial member of the DC side due to his extensive experience, the 37-year-old Warner is also the oldest player in the team. Having made his IPL debut in 2009 for DC, his standout performance came in SRH colors in 2016. Accumulating 848 runs in 17 games, he concluded the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer and guided the Orange Army to their maiden and only trophy triumph.
8. Andre Russell (35 Years Old) KKR
Andre Russell has been a fixture with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) since 2014, amassing an impressive 2269 runs in 111 matches with a remarkable strike rate of 175.07 over the past 10 years. Currently, he stands as the third-most successful batter for Knight Riders, following Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir.
In the 2023 season, Russell faced challenges with both bat and ball, scoring only 227 runs in 14 games at an average of 20.64 as a batter and taking seven wickets at a challenging economy of 11.34 as a bowler. Despite a challenging year, the 35-year-old Caribbean remains the most senior player in the KKR squad, and his extraordinary record solidifies his crucial role in the team.
Despite his struggles in the previous season, KKR has displayed confidence in their experienced stalwart for the 2024 season. In the upcoming IPL, Russell is determined to rediscover his form and contribute significantly to help his side clinch the championship after a decade.
9. Rohit Sharma (36 Years Old) MI
Mumbai Indians (MI) have opted to remove Rohit Sharma from the captaincy, but the 36-year-old veteran will continue as a vital part of the side for the 2024 season. As the most senior stalwart in the MI squad, Rohit Sharma, the former skipper, played a pivotal role in leading Mumbai to five trophies, making them the most successful side in the league alongside MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Facing challenges with the bat in the last two seasons, Rohit Sharma was relieved of the leadership role by the team management. Nevertheless, the star player is determined to showcase his batting prowess in MI colors and regain the trust of the team management.
Rohit Sharma’s association with MI dates back to 2011 when the team signed him up in the fourth IPL auction. Over his 13-year stint, he has emerged as the leading run-scorer for the team, accumulating 5314 runs in 203 innings at a strike rate of 129.76 and an average of 29.52. Looking ahead, Rohit aims to boost his confidence with significant runs in the cash-rich tournament before potentially representing India in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
10. MS Dhoni (42 Years Old) CSK
Under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured their record-equalling fifth title in 2023, rekindling praise for Dhoni’s exceptional leadership skills. Despite being 42, the former India skipper stands as the most experienced member in the CSK team.
Dhoni’s leadership track record in the league is unparalleled, having captained in 226 matches and achieving success in 133, resulting in an impressive victory percentage of 58.84. Turning to his batting prowess, the wicketkeeper-batsman has accumulated 5082 runs in 250 games, showcasing a commendable strike rate of 135.92.
While Dhoni has faced challenges with the bat in the last three seasons, the CSK team management remains enamored with his remarkable leadership talent, overlooking his recent batting performance.
