Beginning early: Youngest bowlers to take a five-fer in IPL
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed some of the exceptional performances by youngsters with either bat or ball. In this article, we look at the youngest players to have taken a 5-wicket haul in the history of the league. As many as 20 5-wicket hauls have been recorded in the IPL out of which three turned out to be 6-wicket hauls. Among those 20 fifers in IPL, four have been registered by the players past the age of 30 and four by the players aged less than 23.
Here are the top five youngest players to take a 5-wicket haul in the IPL:
5. Ravindra Jadeja – 23 years and 122 days:
Ravindra Jadeja picked up his lone 5-wicket haul in the IPL during the 2012 edition. In the match against Deccan Chargers in Vizag, the left-arm spinner of Chennai Super Kings took 5/16 in his four overs. In the same game, Jadeja scored a quick-fire 48 and was top-scorer of the game. Jadeja was only 23 years and 122 days old then making him the youngest spinner to take a 5-wicket haul in the IPL and overall the 5th youngest player with a 5-fer in the history of IPL.
4. James Faulkner – 22 years and 363 days:
James Faulkner became the first player to take multiple 5-wicket hauls in the same edition of IPL where he picked up two in 2013; both coming against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. His first of those came in Jaipur at the age of 22 years and 363 days; two days before his 23rd birthday. Faulkner is still the youngest IPL player with two 5-wicket hauls. His next 5-fer came in Hyderabad where his team Royals ended up on the losing side.
3. Ishant Sharma – 22 years and 237 days:
Ishant Sharma ran through the Kochi Tuskers Kerala in the 2011 edition match with a sensational spell. Inside four overs, the Kochi franchise were left 11/6 by the Deccan Chargers. Ishant had earned a 5-wicket haul by then as he dismissed four batsmen for ducks. The Indian pacer was only 22 years and 237 days old making him the then youngest player to take an IPL 5-wicket haul but has been surpassed by two players.
2. Alzarri Joseph – 22 years and 137 days:
Alzarri Joseph made a dream debut in the IPL as he took a 6-wicket haul representing the Mumbai Indians last year against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Joseph finished with analyses of 3.4-1-12-6 which are the best in the history of IPL. The West Indian pacer was 22 years and 137 days old which makes him the 2nd youngest player with an IPL 5-fer. Joseph is also the youngest overseas player with a 5-wicket haul in IPL and also the youngest to claim a 6-fer in the league history.
1. Jaydev Unadkat – 21 years 204 days:
Jaydev Unadkat is one of the two players and the only Indian to take two 5-wicket hauls in the IPL. His first of the two came in the 2013 edition while representing the RCB team. In the game against Delhi Daredevils, the left-arm pacer took 5/25 in his four overs to seal a 4-run win for RCB. Unadkat was only 21 years and 204 days old during that game which makes him the youngest player of the IPL to claim a 5-wicket haul.
