5 oldest Indian cricketers to have played a Test match
When it comes to the question of the oldest cricketers to have played for India in Test cricket then India is definitely not in the league of many of the other nations. For instance, England’s Wilfred Rhodes played his last Test match at the age of 52 years and 180 days, while Australia’s Bert Ironmonger hung up his boots at the age of just over 50.
That being said, the upper limit for India might not be as spectacular but it is still interesting to have a look at some of the oldest players to have played a Test match for India. Although exhaustive data in this regard is not available from the earliest days of Indian cricket, one can be fairly certain that these 5 cricketers were the oldest ones to ever turn out in a Test match for India.
#5 Erapalli Prasanna - 38 years, 163 days
He remains one of the greatest spin bowlers to have ever played the game but the 1978 tour of Pakistan brought about a cruel end to India’s famous spin attack and Erapalli Prasanna’s career ended following India’s limp defeat in the 2nd Test at Lahore. In that Test match, India lost by 8 wickets and Prasanna went wicketless.
However, at the age of 38 years and 157 days, he became one of the oldest ever cricketers to have ever turned out for India in a Test match. He had had a wonderful career till then and had been responsible for many famous victories, which is why his last Test performance should not in any way discount his achievements as a cricketer.
In his 49 Test career spanning almost 16 years, he picked up 189 wickets at an average of 30.38 and reigned as one of the world’s premier spinners.