Despite the colonial history, cricket grew in the alleys of India. There are camps every few kilometers where young boys practice and dream of donning the national jersey. One such boy is Vaibhav Suryvanshi. Rajasthan Royals invested on him, and he did not fail them. Currently a teen, Suryavanshi has shown his powerful hitting abilities in age-group cricket as well as in domestic and IPL. Currently, several critics want him to have master training so that he never gets a future like Prithvi Shaw's or Unmukt Chand's. There have been legends who debuted at a very young age and made their nation proud. And here are five legendary players, who debuted at a very young age but never got lost in the humdrums of popularity and pressure. 1 | Sachin Tendulkar (16 years, 205 days) When young short Sachin Tendulkar walked out to bat in Karachi in 1989, he was just 16 years and 205 days old, yet carried expectations no teenager should. Facing prime Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in hostile conditions, Tendulkar’s debut innings of 15 hinted at rare mental steel. The defining image of his early career came later that tour, when he batted with a bloodied nose in Sialkot, refusing to retire hurt. That courage became his trademark. Over the next 24 years, Tendulkar evolved with the game, reshaping his technique to counter pace, spin, injuries, and age. He retired with 15,921 Test runs in 200 matches, 18,426 ODI runs in 463 games, and a historic 100 international centuries. 2 | Sir Garry Sobers (17 years) Sir Garry Sobers made his Test debut at just 17 in 1954, initially selected as a bowler against England in Kingston. Batting at No. 9, he showed glimpses of promise, but the world soon witnessed a once-in-a-century all-rounder. Sobers redefined versatility—equally dominant as a left-handed batsman, a bowler capable of spin and pace, and a brilliant close-in fielder. His unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in 1958 remained the highest individual Test score for 36 years. Across 93 Tests, Sobers scored 8,032 runs at an extraordinary average of 57.78 and took 235 wickets. He also claimed 109 catches. In 1968, he became the first man to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket. Sobers wasn’t just ahead of his time—he transcended eras. 3 | Wasim Akram (18 years, 173 days) Wasim Akram’s cricketing journey began unusually—picked as a raw teenager without first-class experience, he made his ODI debut at 18 years and 173 days in 1984. Even then, his natural ability to swing the ball both ways stood out. Under Imran Khan’s mentorship, Akram refined reverse swing into an art form that terrified batters worldwide. He finished with 414 Test wickets and a record 502 ODI wickets, redefining what a left-arm fast bowler could achieve. Akram’s brilliance wasn’t just about pace—it was about deception, late movement, and nerve in high-pressure moments. Alongside Waqar Younis, he spearheaded one of cricket’s most lethal bowling partnerships. From World Cup finals to last-over spells, Akram delivered repeatedly, earning his legacy as arguably the greatest fast bowler cricket has ever produced. 4 | Virat Kohli – (19 years, 287 day) Virat Kohli’s rise began with leadership, captaining India to the 2008 U-19 World Cup before making his ODI debut later that year at 19 years and 287 days. His first innings—12 runs against Sri Lanka—hardly predicted greatness, but Kohli’s defining trait was his refusal to accept mediocrity. Early struggles sharpened his hunger. Over time, he transformed himself physically and mentally, becoming the benchmark for fitness in Indian cricket. Kohli’s game thrived on intensity—whether chasing totals or dominating bowling attacks across conditions. He has amassed over 27,000 international runs and more than 80 centuries, excelling across formats. His aggressive mindset, combined with technical precision, turned him into one of the most consistent batters of the modern era. 5 | Harbhajan Singh – (17 years, 265 days) Harbhajan Singh debuted internationally in 1998 as a 17-year-old off-spinner with raw talent and an even fiercer temperament. His early career oscillated between promise and inconsistency, often overshadowed by Anil Kumble. Everything changed in 2001. With India written off against Australia, Harbhajan produced one of the greatest bowling performances in Test history—32 wickets in three matches, including India’s first-ever Test hat-trick. That series transformed him overnight. Harbhajan went on to take 417 Test wickets and 269 ODI wickets, becoming India’s most successful off-spinner for years. His journey wasn’t smooth—controversies, form slumps, and competition tested him constantly. Yet, time and again, Harbhajan rose when India needed breakthroughs. From a volatile teenager to a battle-hardened match-winner, his career was defined by resilience and redemption.