The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a stage where young talent flourishes in the limelight, and young leadership is no longer a rarity. Ever since its inception, a number of young captains have not only taken the responsibility of being the skipper of their teams but also performed with the bat in a dazzling manner. Of those top performers, three names have stood out to become part of history by reaching more than 500 runs in a season prior to their 26th birthdays.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli broke the trail. During the 2013 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the erstwhile Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper recorded an incredible 634 runs, becoming the first captain in history below the age of 26 to reach over the 500-run barrier. Leading from the front at just 24 years old, Kohli’s consistency, aggression, and hunger laid the foundation for what would become a legendary IPL career. His 2013 season featured six fifties, guiding RCB to several crucial wins and showing early signs of his elite leadership qualities.

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer is next on the list, who made a big statement in IPL 2020 as Delhi Capitals captain. At 25 years of age, Iyer scored 519 runs, demonstrating a calm and composed figure in the middle order. His capacity to anchor innings and rotate strike made him one of the most dependable batters that year, and his captaincy led Delhi to their first-ever IPL final. Iyer's maturity under pressure demonstrated his all-around cricketing wisdom.

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Shubman Gill

In IPL 2025, Shubman Gill joined this elite list by making 508 runs (and growing) as the Gujarat Titans' captain. At only 24, Gill has paired classy stroke play with calm leadership, keeping GT in the running for the playoffs. His capacity to adjust to any game situation and score regularly against pace and spin has made him one of the leading batters this year. This group of three young leaders is a testament that age is not a factor when talent, temperament, and responsibility converge the benchmark for the next generation of IPL heroes.