Over the years, experienced players often lead cricket teams, but some players showcase leadership skills early on, seizing the chance to captain their teams.
The T20 World Cup provides a prime opportunity for these youngsters to lead on a global stage. This tournament has seen young captains stepping up, handling immense pressure and high expectations.
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Here, we list the top 10 youngest captains in T20 World Cup history, celebrating their ability to lead their national teams at such a prestigious event. These young leaders have made their mark, demonstrating exceptional skill and maturity in the world of cricket.
The list is followed by key insights, highlighting their achievements and contributions.
Top 10: Youngest T20 WC Captains
| Captain | Country | Age | Edition |
| Rohit Paudel | Nepal | 21y 276d | 2024 |
| Prosper Utseya | Zimbabwe | 22y 170d | 2007 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 23y 38d | 2010 |
| Mohammad Ashraful | Bangladesh | 23y 68d | 2007 |
| Jamie Atkinson | Hong Kong | 23y 205d | 2014 |
| Denesh Ramdin | West Indies | 24y 89d | 2009 |
| Dinesh Chandimal | Sri Lanka | 24y 124d | 2014 |
| William Porterfield | Ireland | 24y 275d | 2009 |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | Bangladesh | 25y 135d | 2012 |
| Kane Williamson | New Zealand | 25y 220d | 2016 |
Key Insights:
Nepal’s Rohit Paudel recently made history by becoming the youngest captain in the T20 World Cup. At 21 years and 276 days, Paudel led Nepal against the Netherlands on June 4, 2024, breaking Prosper Utseya’s 17-year-old record. Utseya had captained Zimbabwe at 22 years and 170 days.
On the other end of the spectrum, Khurram Khan holds the record as the oldest captain in T20 World Cup history. He led the UAE in their final match of the 2014 edition at 42 years and 273 days. Khan remains the only player to captain a team in the T20 World Cup after turning 40.
In total, eight captains have led their teams before turning 25.
Notably, Mohammad Ashraful and Shakib Al Hasan both captained Bangladesh at a young age. Ashraful is unique for leading Bangladesh in two T20 World Cup editions, 2007 and 2009, before turning 25.
MS Dhoni is the youngest captain to win a T20 World Cup. At 26 years and 79 days, Dhoni guided India to victory in the inaugural 2007 edition, defeating Pakistan in the final.
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