3 Indian cricketers who made their India debut before IPL debut

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the biggest boon for Indian cricket over the past 18 years, giving a great platform to several youngsters. The chance to rub shoulders with the world's best players helps youngsters build big-match temperament before they make their international debuts.

However, in IPL history, there have been a select few players who’ve gone on to make their international debuts before playing in the IPL. Here are three such players to debut for India before playing in the IPL, since the tournament began:

1. Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay made his international debut during a Test match against Australia in November 2008 in Nagpur. Opening the innings alongside Virender Sehwag, Vijay scored 33 and 41 in the two innings, respectively. He later made his IPL debut in 2009 for Chennai Super Kings and played a key role in his team’s first two back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011.

2. Mohammed Shami

Star India fast bowler Mohammed Shami is also among the selected few Indian players to have made their debuts before playing in the IPL. Shami made his international debut in an ODI against Pakistan in January 2013. Three months later, he made his IPL debut for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the same year.

Shami won his maiden IPL trophy in 2022 playing for Gujarat Titans, having scalped 20 wickets and also won the Purple Cap in 2023 with 28 wickets.

3. Saransh Jain

The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder is the latest entrant in the list, having recently made his debut for India during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Saransh Jain scored 14 runs across two innings and also scalped one wicket on his debut, giving away 90 runs. The off-spin all-rounder is yet to be picked by an IPL franchise.