The Indian Premier League (IPL) has long been a launchpad for young talent, offering rising stars a chance to prove themselves on a global platform. Players like Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja once used this prestigious T20 league to make their mark, delivering fearless performances that turned them into household names. The league's fast-paced and high-stakes nature has consistently brought out the best in emerging cricketers.

This year, we turn the spotlight on the five youngest players to debut or sign IPL contracts as of 2024, including one history-making prodigy in 2025. These youngsters have impressed with their fearless approach, dynamic shot-making, and solid stats, signaling a bright future. Their inclusion in the IPL highlights the league's vital role in nurturing the next generation of cricketing superstars.

1. Vaibhav Suryavanshi

At just 13 years and 243 days old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi made history as the youngest player ever to be contracted by an IPL franchise, signing with the Rajasthan Royals for INR 1.1 crore during the 2025 IPL Auction. Hailing from Bihar, Vaibhav had already made headlines in domestic cricket, debuting in first-class matches at the remarkable age of 12 years and 284 days. He scored 100 runs in five Ranji Trophy games (highest score: 41, average: 10.00) and tallied 132 runs in six List A matches, including an impressive 71 off 42 balls in the 2024 Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Vaibhav also made waves on the international youth stage, smashing a 58-ball 104 for India U-19 against Australia U-19 in 2024—the fastest Test century ever by an Indian youth cricketer. His power-hitting abilities were further underlined during trial sessions with the Rajasthan Royals, where he struck three towering sixes, convincing the coaching staff of his high potential and readiness for the big stage despite his young age.

2. Prayas Ray Barman

Prayas Ray Barman made his IPL debut for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019 at just 16 years and 157 days, after being signed for INR 1.5 crore. In his sole appearance, the West Bengal all-rounder scored 19 runs (average: 19.00, strike rate: 73.07) and went wicketless, conceding 56 runs at an economy of 14.00. While his debut was brief, it reflected the IPL's willingness to back young talent. Since then, Barman has turned his focus to domestic cricket in hopes of making a strong comeback.

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3. Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman made his IPL debut for Kings XI Punjab in 2018 at just 17 years and 11 days old, becoming one of the youngest players to feature in the league. Signed for INR 4 crore, the mystery spinner impressed early on, claiming 19 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 29.47 and an economy of 7.92. His standout performance came against Delhi Capitals in 2018, where he took 3/27. Though his IPL appearances have reduced in recent seasons, Mujeeb's early success cemented his reputation as one of the most promising T20 spinners of his generation.

4. Riyan Parag

Riyan Parag made his Indian Premier League debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2019 at the age of 17 years and 152 days, after being signed for INR 20 lakh. Since then, he has become a key figure in the Royals' setup, featuring in 69 matches and amassing 1,316 runs at an average of 24.83 and a strike rate of 135.11. His highest score remains an unbeaten 84, and he has registered seven fifties in the tournament. As a part-time bowler, he has also taken 7 wickets, with best figures of 3/32. Parag’s standout season came in 2024, when he scored 573 runs, finishing as the third-highest run-getter of the tournament. Notably, he holds the record for the most runs scored in an IPL match by a player aged 17 years and 175 days. Riyan has proven his versatility as a dependable all-rounder and continues to grow as a key talent in the IPL.

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5. Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan made his Indian Premier League debut for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2015 at just 17 years and 177 days old, after being signed for INR 50 lakhs. Over the course of 50 IPL matches, he accumulated 585 runs at an average of 22.50 and a strike rate of 130.00. His highest score in the league stands at 67, which came off just 34 balls in a 2016 match, showcasing his flair and aggressive batting style. Even before stepping onto the IPL stage, Sarfaraz had already made headlines by becoming the youngest player to break the Harris Shield record at age 12. His steady rise through domestic cricket culminated in a well-deserved Test debut for India in 2024, underlining his long-standing potential and batting prowess.

Whether it’s the record-breaking entry of Vaibhav Suryavanshi as the youngest IPL signing or the impressive journeys of players like Sarfaraz, the IPL continues to serve as a springboard for young Indian talent. The league has played a vital role in nurturing future international stars and turning promising teenagers into household names on the global cricket stage.

5 Players Who Can Replace Jasprit Bumrah in Mumbai Indians

1. Trent Boult (Left-arm Fast Bowler)

Trent Boult is the 1st choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah.One of the best left-arm pacers in world cricket, known for his swing in the powerplay and ability to take early wickets. Previously he played for Rajasthan Royals and in a mega auction mumbai indians bought him.

He has been the best bowler in T20 leagues, taking 31 wickets in 15 matches for MI NY in Major League Cricket with an impressive average of 15.12 and a strike rate of 11.0, meaning he gets a wicket almost every second over. In the IPL, he has played 104 matches and picked up 121 wickets, with best figures of 4/18 and an economy of 8.29 runs per over. He has also performed well in other leagues like SA20, ILT20, and BBL, consistently taking wickets.

2. Deepak Chahar (Right-arm Medium-Fast Bowler)

Deepak Chahar is the 2nd choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah. A powerplay specialist with exceptional swing bowling skills, experienced in the IPL with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and capable of contributing with the bat.

He has played for two teams in the IPL, featuring in 81 matches and bowling 1,669 deliveries while conceding 2,221 runs. Over his career, he has picked up 77 wickets, with his best bowling performance being 4/13. He averages 28.84 runs per wicket, has an economy rate of 7.98 runs per over, and takes a wicket roughly every 21.6 balls. He has also managed two four-wicket hauls but hasn’t taken a five-wicket haul yet in the IPL.

3. Lizaad Williams (Right-arm Fast Bowler)

Lizaad Williams is the 3rd choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah. Lizaad Williams is a fast-medium bowler. He has also played international matches also.

He had a tough time in the IPL with Delhi Capitals, playing just 2 matches and taking only 1 wicket while being quite expensive with an economy of 12.00. However, he was much better in SA20 for Joburg Super Kings, where he took 20 wickets in 12 games with a solid average of 15.90 and best figures of 4/26.

4. Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Right-arm Off-spin Bowler)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the 4th choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah. A mystery spinner with variations, particularly effective in T20s, with IPL experience at Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He was outstanding in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), taking 26 wickets in 18 matches with a brilliant average of 14.46 and keeping things tight with an economy of 5.61. In the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), he also did well, picking up 25 wickets in 22 games with a solid average of 18.40 and an economy of 5.34. However, he struggled in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he managed just 6 wickets in 11 matches, proving to be expensive with an economy of 8.65 and a high bowling average of 63.50.

5. Venkata Satyanarayana(Right-arm Fast Bowler)

Venkata Satyanarayana is the 5th choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah. He showed his skills in the First class cricket and in 2025 Mi was picked in IPL Auction.

He has played 7 T20 matches, taking 7 wickets with best figures of 2/19. On average, he gives away 8.23 runs per over and takes a wicket every 19.5 balls. While he has been decent, he hasn’t had any big performances like four or five-wicket hauls yet.

Afghanistan’s off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been signed by Mumbai Indians (MI) for IPL 2025, replacement of AM Ghazanfar. Ghazanfar, ruled out from the upcoming Champions Trophy and IPL too. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed that Ghazanfar suffered a fracture in his lower back during last month’s tour of Zimbabwe. The young spinner, secured his first IPL contract after an impressive start in his ODI career. Mujeeb has taken 275 wickets at an average of 23.67 and an economy rate of 6.75

🆕 in town: ✨ 𝕄𝕦𝕛𝕖𝕖𝕓'𝕤 𝕄𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕔 ✨ #MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/YIPnK0uJsQ

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 16, 2025

Recently, he played for Paarl Royals in SA20, he is the team’s highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets in 12 matches. Paarl Royals qualified for Qualifier 2 but lost the game with Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

ALSO READ: IPL 2025: Punjab Kings (PBKS) Full Schedule, Date, Time, Venues, And Complete Squad Details

📰 𝗠𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗶 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝗷𝗲𝗲𝗯 𝗨𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗻 🇦🇫

Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the Afghan off spinner has been signed by Mumbai Indians as a replacement for Allah Ghazanfar who has been ruled out of IPL 2025 due to an injury.

Mujeeb was one of the youngest ever… pic.twitter.com/urNJhbfVl7

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 16, 2025

Mujeeb Ur Rahman missed several matches last year due to a hand injury. He made his comeback in the Abu Dhabi T10, played in Afghanistan’s T20I series against Zimbabwe, and then took part in the SA20 league. However, he wasn’t picked for Afghanistan’s Champions Trophy squad, as the team’s chief selector, Ahmad Suliman Khil, explained that doctors advised him to focus on T20 cricket until he fully recovers before playing ODIs again. After going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, Mujeeb signed for (INR 2 crore) with Mumbai Indians.

Foreign Players Registered for PSL 2025 Draft: Complete List for Season 10

Also, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), hitting a major milestone since it's headed into its 10th season come 2025. They're planning to make PSL Season 10 the largest and best one yet with top-notch cricket and an intensity that's very high. The season is going to begin on April 10 and run until May 25, 2025, showcasing a portion of the brightest stars in cricket, from local heroes to international important names but before the main games even start, everyone is getting very excited for the Player Draft happening on January 11, 2025, in Gwadar, Balochistan.

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They say this event is one of the major highlights before the season even begins.This year, there are more cricket players from different countries signing up for the PSL draft than ever before. It shows how the league is becoming more important all over the world. We will take a close look at the players who have signed up, organizing them by their home country.

This year's PSL 2025 draft is preparing carefully to be interesting-to an inordinate extent-with more than 34 cricket players from around the world ready to join the competition. Major names including Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, and Tom Curran from England are really leading the way for everyone else. Wanting to do as well, cricket stars from Australia and New Zealand, like David Warner and the recently retired Tim Southee, are joining the group.In addition we've excellent players from Bangladesh, such as Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, making fully sure the tournament is replete with talent.

Country-Wise List of Players Registered for PSL Draft 2025

TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed some significant squad changes, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) making key replacements to bolster their respective lineups. Allah Ghazanfar and Keshav Maharaj added a new dimension to the teams, sparking excitement among fans and pundits alike.

Allah Ghazanfar Joins Kolkata Knight Riders

To strengthen their spin department, Kolkata Knight Riders have named Allah Ghazanfar the replacement for the injured Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The 16-year-old offspinner from Afghanistan brings youthful energy and potential to the KKR squad, marking a significant addition to their roster.

See Also: IPL 2024: Netizens welcome Riyan Parag 2.0

With appearances in 2 ODIs and a handful of T20s and List A matches, Ghazanfar has showcased his talent and potential to become a future star. His inclusion in the KKR squad adds depth to their spin bowling options and provides them with a promising talent for the future. He joins KKR for his base price of INR 20 Lac.

Reason for Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s Replacement

The decision to replace Mujeeb Ur Rahman was necessitated by his injury, which left a void in the KKR lineup. Rahman’s absence is a blow to the team, but the addition of Ghazanfar provides them with a fresh perspective and new opportunities in the tournament.

Keshav Maharaj’s Inclusion in Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals have bolstered their bowling attack by adding South African cricketer Keshav Maharaj to their squad instead of Prasidh Krishna. Maharaj brings a wealth of experience and versatility to the team, enhancing their options in both bowling and batting departments.

Keshav Maharaj, a seasoned campaigner in international cricket, boasts an impressive record across all formats. South African cricketer, has played 27 T20Is, 44 ODIs and 50 Tests and has scalped 237 wickets in international cricket. Additionally, he has played 159 T20s, picking up 130 wickets and can chip in with some handy runs. RR have brought him on board for his base price of INR 50 Lac. His presence will support the team’s existing spin options and strengthen their bowling lineup.

Reason for Prasidh Krishna’s Replacement

Prasidh Krishna’s absence due to injury prompted Rajasthan Royals to seek a replacement to maintain the balance of their squad. While Krishna’s absence will be felt, Maharaj’s inclusion offers the team added depth and flexibility in their bowling strategy.

Rajasthan Royals faced a setback with the withdrawal of star Australian spinner Adam Zampa due to personal reasons. Zampa’s absence leaves a void in the team’s spin department, but with Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad, they need more resources to fill the gap.

Role of Keshav Maharaj in Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals will likely utilize Keshav Maharaj as a backup spin option alongside their primary spinners. With his experience and skill set, Maharaj adds depth to the team’s bowling lineup and provides valuable support in crucial situations.

Rajasthan Royals updated squad: Sanju Samson (c & wk), Jos Buttler (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, Riyan Parag, Navdeep Saini, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Trent Boult, Donovan Ferreira, Kuldeep Sen, Kunal Rathore, Avesh Khan, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Abid Mushtaq, Nandre Burger, Keshav Maharaj.

Kolkata Knight Riders updated squad: Shreyas Iyer (c), Nitish Rana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Vaibhav Arora, KS Bharat (wk), Chetan Sakariya, Mitchell Starc, Angkrish Raghvanshi, Ramandeep Singh, Sherfane Rutherford, Manish Pandey, Gus Atkinson, Sakib Hussain, Allah Ghazanfar. 

Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, set to commence on February 9, 2024. Mujeeb sustained a right hand injury during a training session in Kandy, leading to his absence from the 50-over matches against Sri Lanka. The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced this development via a tweet on ‘X’, stating, “Mujeeb Ur Rahman sprained his right phalanx (hand) during the training session yesterday, which ruled him out of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Wish you a swift & speedy recovery Muj!”

Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been absent from ODI matches since November 2023 but featured in the T20I series against India in January 2024. He garnered attention for his dispute with the Afghanistan Cricket Board, where he advocated for exclusion from the central contract list for 2024, expressing a preference for participating in T20 leagues over national team commitments.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman, along with Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi, faced a two-year ban from participating in foreign leagues imposed by the ACB. However, they later expressed their desire to represent the national team, leading to the lifting of their bans by the cricket board.

Setback for Afghanistan: Mujeeb Ur Rahman Ruled out for ODI series against Sri Lanka

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is renowned for his exceptional spin bowling skills, boasting a wide array of variations that stifle batsmen and enable him to pick up wickets consistently. With the ability to make an impact with the new ball or during any phase of the innings, Mujeeb’s deceptive googly adds further potency to his bowling arsenal.

SEE ALSO:Virat Kohli’s Absence Confirmed for 3rd and 4th Tests Against England, Participation in 5th Test in Dharamsala Remains Uncertain

In the absence of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Afghanistan’s spin attack faces a challenge with relatively inexperienced options such as Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi. Consequently, the team may rely more on its pacers to make breakthroughs rather than the spinners.

Afghanistan, buoyed by their victory over Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup, aims to maintain their winning momentum in the upcoming series. Led by Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka boasts a youthful squad featuring emerging talents like Janith Liyanage and Shevon Daniel, bolstered by match-winning spinners such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dhananjaya, and Maheesh Theekshana.

The inclusion of promising spinner Dunith Wellalage, who impressed during the 2023 ODI World Cup, further strengthens Sri Lanka’s spin department. The entirety of the SL vs AFG ODI series will unfold at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy. The opening match is scheduled for February 9, with the series wrapping up on February 14.