This article covers Shreyas Iyer’s cricket journey, from his early life in Mumbai to his IPL success, leadership milestones, and key career achievements across formats.
Shreyas Iyer Personal Info
- Full Name: Shreyas Santosh Iyer
- Born: 6 December 1994, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Role: Right-hand top-order batter
- IPL Teams: Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings
- IPL Captaincy: Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL 2024 winner), Punjab Kings
- IPL 2025: Punjab Kings captain, bought for ₹26.75 crore
Shreyas Iyer Cricket Career Overview
Shreyas Iyer Early Life & Background
Early Life and Education
Shreyas Iyer was born and raised in Mumbai in a middle-class Mangalorean family, growing up in a city known for producing elite cricketers. His early cricket exposure came through tennis-ball cricket, school tournaments, and club matches across Mumbai’s local grounds.
He studied at Don Bosco High School, Matunga, and later R.A. Podar College, where he balanced academics with competitive cricket.
Early Coaching and Junior Cricket
A defining moment in Iyer’s early career came when former India batter Pravin Amre spotted him at Shivaji Park and began mentoring him.
At junior and age-group levels, his aggressive stroke play earned comparisons with Virender Sehwag, leading to the nickname “Young Viru.”
Domestic Career & Early Breakthrough
India Under-19 and Breakthrough Seasons
Iyer represented India Under-19 at the 2014 U-19 World Cup, scoring back-to-back fifties in the playoff matches. Soon after, he made his Ranji Trophy debut for Mumbai (2014–15).
Promoted to the top order, he finished that season as Mumbai’s leading run-scorer with 809 runs at an average above 50.
Ranji Trophy Dominance
The 2015–16 Ranji Trophy marked his domestic peak, as Iyer piled up 1,321 runs at an average of 73, including a century in the final that helped Mumbai lift the title.
Shreyas Iyer IPL Career & Leadership Journey
Shreyas Iyer made his IPL debut in 2015 with Delhi Daredevils and made an immediate impact, scoring 439 runs and winning the Emerging Player of the Year award. Over the next few seasons, he became the backbone of Delhi’s batting lineup.
He took over as captain in 2018 and led Delhi Capitals to consistent playoff finishes, including their first-ever IPL final in 2020. After leaving Delhi, Iyer joined Kolkata Knight Riders as captain in IPL 2022.
Following a full-season absence in IPL 2023 due to injury, he returned strongly to lead KKR to the IPL 2024 title. Ahead of IPL 2025, Punjab Kings signed him for ₹26.75 crore and appointed him captain to spearhead a new phase for the franchise.
Shreyas Iyer Playing Style & Cricketing Strengths
Batting Style Explained
Shreyas Iyer is an attacking top-order batter who blends classical technique with controlled aggression. He is particularly strong against spin bowling, using quick footwork and clean bat swing.
He adapts well across formats, capable of anchoring an innings or accelerating when required.
Strengths
- Excellent player of spin
- Big-match temperament
- Proven IPL and international leader
- Reliable top-to-middle order run scorer
Weaknesses
- Injury interruptions across seasons
- Occasionally tested by high pace and bounce
Injury Challenges, Resilience & Comebacks
Major Injury Setbacks
- 2021: Shoulder labrum tear, missed half of IPL season
- 2023: Back stress injury, missed IPL, WTC Final, and underwent surgery
Comeback Performances
Iyer’s comeback stands among the best in modern Indian cricket. He returned to:
- Star in the 2023 ODI World Cup
- Lead KKR to IPL glory in 2024
- Captain Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final
Shreyas Iyer – IPL & International Cricket Career Highlights
Season-Wise IPL Performance (Runs)
- 2015 (Delhi Daredevils): 439 runs – Emerging Player of the Season
- 2016: 30 runs
- 2017: 338 runs
- 2018: 411 runs – Captain
- 2019 (Delhi Capitals): 463 runs – Playoffs qualification
- 2020: 519 runs – IPL finalist (Captain)
- 2021: 175 runs – Injury-hit season
- 2022 (Kolkata Knight Riders): 401 runs – Captain
- 2023: Missed season – Back injury
- 2024 (KKR): 351 runs – IPL Champion (Captain)
- 2025 (Punjab Kings): 604 runs – Finalist (Captain)
IPL Career & Franchise Journey
Delhi Daredevils / Delhi Capitals (2015–2021)
Shreyas Iyer made an immediate impact after being bought in IPL 2015, winning the Emerging Player award. In 2018, he replaced Gautam Gambhir as captain and led Delhi into a new era of consistency.
- Qualified for playoffs in 2019
- Led Delhi Capitals to their first-ever IPL final in 2020
Kolkata Knight Riders (2022-2024)
Iyer joined KKR as captain in 2022. After missing IPL 2023 due to injury, he returned strongly in 2024.
- Finished top of the league stage
- Won KKR’s third IPL title, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final
He became the first captain to lead two different teams to IPL finals.
Punjab Kings (2025)
Ahead of IPL 2025, Punjab Kings signed Iyer for ₹26.75 crore, briefly making him the most expensive player in IPL auction history. He was appointed captain to rebuild the franchise.
- Qualified for playoffs for the first time since 2014
- Finished runners-up after a narrow final loss
IPL Captaincy Record & Leadership Impact
- Youngest captain in Delhi franchise history
- First captain to take Delhi Capitals to an IPL final
- First player to lead two different franchises to IPL finals
- IPL-winning captain with KKR (2024)
- Led Punjab Kings to IPL 2025 final
Key Cricketing Events & Tournament Highlights
- Scored a century and half-century on Test debut vs New Zealand (2021)
- Hit 31 runs in a single ODI over vs West Indies (2019) – Indian record
- Led Delhi Capitals to their first IPL final (2020)
- Scored 530 runs in the 2023 ODI World Cup, including two centuries
- Captained KKR to the IPL title (2024)
- Led Punjab Kings to IPL 2025 final, their first since 2014
International Cricket Career (Brief)
Shreyas Iyer made his T20I debut in November 2017 and ODI debut in December 2017, quickly cementing his place in India’s limited-overs middle order.
His first international century came in an ODI against New Zealand in 2020.
In November 2021, he produced a historic Test debut against New Zealand, scoring a century and a half-century, becoming the first Indian to achieve this feat on debut.
Major Tournaments
- 2023 ODI World Cup: 530+ runs, India runners-up
- 2023 Asia Cup: Title winner
- 2025 ICC Champions Trophy: India’s highest run-scorer in the title win
He has also served as India’s ODI vice-captain, underlining his leadership stature.
Shreyas Iyer Overall Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Metric | Tests | ODIs | T20Is | FC | List A | T20s |
| Mat | 14 | 76 | 51 | 83 | 168 | 240 |
| Inns | 24 | 70 | 47 | 140 | 159 | 234 |
| NO | 2 | 6 | 11 | 6 | 19 | 41 |
| Runs | 811 | 2977 | 1104 | 6408 | 6772 | 6578 |
| HS | 105 | 128* | 74* | 233 | 148 | 147 |
| Ave | 36.86 | 46.51 | 30.66 | 47.82 | 48.37 | 34.08 |
| BF | 1287 | 3020 | 811 | 8126 | 6820 | 4815 |
| SR | 63.01 | 98.57 | 136.12 | 78.85 | 99.29 | 136.61 |
| 100s | 1 | 5 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 3 |
| 50s | 5 | 23 | 8 | 33 | 42 | 43 |
| 4s | 94 | 274 | 90 | 747 | 612 | 548 |
| 6s | 16 | 73 | 44 | 150 | 191 | 286 |
| Ct | 15 | 29 | 16 | 65 | 70 | 102 |
| St | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling
| Metric | Tests | ODIs | T20Is | FC | List A | T20s |
| Mat | 14 | 76 | 51 | 83 | 168 | 240 |
| Inns | 1 | 5 | 1 | 27 | 23 | 5 |
| Balls | 6 | 37 | 2 | 619 | 279 | 49 |
| Runs | 2 | 39 | 2 | 434 | 289 | 81 |
| Wkts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| BBI | – | – | – | 2/29 | 1/2 | 1/28 |
| BBM | – | – | – | 2/29 | 1/2 | 1/28 |
| Ave | – | – | – | 86.80 | 57.80 | 81.00 |
| Econ | 2.00 | 6.32 | 6.00 | 4.20 | 6.21 | 9.91 |
| SR | – | – | – | 123.8 | 55.8 | 49.0 |
| 4w | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5w | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10w | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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