• James Anderson became the fifth oldest player to play a Test match in India.

  • Anderson made his way into the exclusive club during the Vizag Test on the England tour of India 2024.

Oldest cricketers to play a Test match in India
James Anderson (Image Source: Twitter)

In the ever-changing world of cricket, where the youth often takes centre stage, only a handful of players manage to defy the sands of time, showcasing both exceptional skill and unparalleled fitness.

England’s pace maestro, James Anderson, recently etched his name into the annals of cricket history by becoming the fifth oldest player to play in a Test match in India. As we celebrate Anderson’s remarkable feat, let’s delve into the exclusive club of cricketers who stood the test of time and feature in this rare list.

Oldest players to feature in a Test match in India

1. John Traicos

John Traicos
John Traicos (Image Source: Twitter)

At the pinnacle of this exclusive list stands John Traicos, who graced the Indian Test arena at the age of 45 years and 300 days in 1993. The South African-Zimbabwean cricketer played seven Test matches, leaving an indelible mark on the game.

2. Amir Elahi

Amir Elahi
Amir Elahi (Image Source: Twitter)

A cricketer with the unique distinction of representing both India and Pakistan in Test cricket, Amir Elahi takes the second spot on our list. He played a Test in India at the age of 44 years and 102 days in 1952, showcasing his enduring passion for the game.

3. Harry Elliot

Harry Elliot
Harry Elliot (Image Source: Twitter)

England’s wicketkeeper-batter Harry Elliot, a stalwart of his time, graced the Indian Test grounds at the age of 42 years and 100 days in 1934. With four Test matches under his belt, Elliot left a lasting impression on the cricketing world.

Also READ: Meet the only 3 cricketers with 10,000 Test runs and more than 50 wickets

4. Vinoo Mankad

Vinoo Mankad
Vinoo Mankad (Image Source: Twitter)

India’s former captain and a cricketing legend in his own right, Vinoo Mankad, represented the country in 44 Tests. He played a Test match in India at the age of 41 years and 300 days in 1959, displaying a level of commitment that resonates even today.

5. James Anderson

James Anderson
James Anderson (Image Source: Twitter)

The newest entrant into this elite group, England‘s pace sensation Anderson, reaffirms his status as one of the greatest pacers in the longest format. With over 690 wickets to his name, Anderson defies the conventional norms, taking the field against India at the age of 41 years and 187 days in the Vizag Test in 2024.

Also READ: KL Rahul joins an elite list of cricketers – becomes just the 6th Indian to play 50 matches across formats

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About the Author:
Vishwanath Hariharan is Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. From breaking news stories to in-depth features and opinion pieces, he has covered a wide range of topics. Vishwanath is very fond of watching cricket. Like many others, he too grew up watching, playing, and imitating his favourite players of the game. MS Dhoni is like a demigod to him. You can connect with him at vishwanath.hariharan@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter & Linkedin.