Wicketkeeper batter KS Bharat surprisingly announced his retirement from international cricket on June 4. The news came as a shocker, given Bharat is only 32 and last played for India two years back.
The gloveman is a veteran of 113 first-class games and over 170 white-ball matches in domestic cricket. Bharat has also played seven Tests for India, including the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia.
The right-hander made timely contributions in front of and behind the stumps in India’s 2-1 Test series win over Australia at home in 2023. Yet, Bharat’s overall Test numbers are subpar, averaging only 20.09 across 12 innings.
The Andhra-born cricketer made his Test debut in February 2023, meaning his international career lasted just over three years. Several other active Indian players made their Test debuts much before Bharat, making the latter’s decision a surprise.
Here, we look at five Indian cricketers who debuted in Tests five years before KS Bharat and are still active.
#1 Jasprit Bumrah
Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah made his Test debut at the start of the 2018 season in South Africa. He impressed instantly by dismissing the legendary AB de Villiers as his maiden wicket and finished with four wickets in the outing.
Bumrah has since become arguably India’s most valuable commodity across formats, especially in overseas Tests. Eight years into his Test career, the veteran seamer boasts incredible numbers with 234 wickets at an average of under 20, including 16 five-wicket hauls, in 52 matches.
#2 Kuldeep Yadav
A year before Jasprit Bumrah, in 2017, another one of India’s match-winning bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav, made his Test debut. The left-arm spinner played his maiden Test against Australia and shone brightly with a four-wicket haul in his first-ever spell of bowling.
Kuldeep has grown in stature from then and become one of India’s frontline spinners in the longest format. The 31-year-old has picked up 76 wickets in 17 Tests at a remarkable average of 22.42 with five 5-wicket hauls.
#3 Ravindra Jadeja
Spin-bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has slowly but surely turned into Team India’s Ironman, with his incredible ability to remain fit and contribute massively in all three departments. The 37-year-old made his Test debut way back in December 2012 and has become one of India’s most accomplished red-ball cricketers.
Consistently evolving with bat and ball, Jadeja, in combination with the retired Ravichandran Ashwin, made India a dominant force at home for a decade from 2013 to 2023.
The champion all-rounder boasts over 4,000 runs with the bat at an average of 38.27, including six centuries, in 89 outings. Jadeja has also picked up 348 wickets with the red cherry at an average of 25.11, including 15 five-wicket hauls.
Almost 14 years into his illustrious Test career, Jadeja continues to be one of India’s go-to options with bat and ball across conditions.
#4 KL Rahul
Another veteran Indian cricketer, KL Rahul, made his Test debut more than a decade ago in December 2014. After inconsistencies plagued him for most of his Test career, the 34-year-old has finally established himself at the top of the order in the Indian red-ball side.
Thanks to his excellent 2025 season, Rahul’s Test numbers have improved, with over 4,000 runs at almost 36, including 11 centuries, in 67 matches. He has also recently been named India’s Test vice-captain, replacing Rishabh Pant.
#5 Mohammed Shami
Discarded Indian pacer Mohammed Shami still remains in the fray for a return to the Indian Test side, following strong domestic performances over the past few months. The 35-year-old made his Test debut in 2013 and has overcome several injuries throughout his career.
With his brilliant seam position and fiery spells, Shami has picked up 229 wickets for India in 64 Tests at an average of under 28. He played a massive role in India’s first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018/19.
Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran
Recent Comments