Cricket ages — debut fact: Which batsman among the following started his international cricket career at the age of 16 years?

Introduction / Context:
Age at international debut is a classic cricket trivia theme. This question seeks the batter who began international cricket at just 16, highlighting precocity and long careers.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Four Indian internationals are listed.
• We are to identify who debuted at age 16.

Concept / Approach:
Recall that Sachin Tendulkar debuted in November 1989 for India in Tests against Pakistan at Karachi as a 16-year-old, later appearing in ODIs as well. Others debuted older.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify Tendulkar's Test debut = Karachi, 1989, age 16.Step 2: Compare with others: Raina (international debut at 18–19), Chawla (around 17 in ODIs; 18 in Tests), Dravid (mid-20s).Step 3: The only 16-year-old debutant here is Sachin Tendulkar.

Verification / Alternative check:
Public records and profiles list Tendulkar's debut age as 16 years and several months, making him one of the youngest Test debutants for India.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Suresh Raina: Debuted in ODIs at 18–19; not 16.
• Piyush Chawla: Young prodigy, but older than 16 at debut.
• Rahul Dravid: Debuted in his 20s in 1996.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing Piyush Chawla's youth with being 16. Another pitfall is conflating Under-19 ages with senior international debuts.

Final Answer:
Sachin Tendulkar