Ajit Agarkar and the All India Men’s Senior Selection Committee are set to pick the Asia Cup squad on Tuesday, August 19. Suryakumar Yadav has cleared his fitness test and will lead India in the eight-team tournament starting September 9. The major question for selectors is whether Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal will be included,…
Shreyas Iyer: The Grit Behind India’s Middle-Order Powerhouse
Shreyas Iyer (born 6 December 1994) is a dynamic Indian international cricketer known for his composed middle-order batting. Representing India across all formats, he also leads Punjab Kings in the IPL and plays domestic cricket for Mumbai. From captaining Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders to clinching the 2025 Champions Trophy and 2024 IPL title, Iyer has carved a niche as a dependable performer and leader.
Early Life and Background
Born in Chembur, Mumbai, Iyer hails from a Tamil-Tulu family with roots in Thrissur, Kerala. His father Santosh Iyer and mother Rohini supported his passion for cricket early on. He attended Don Bosco High School, Matunga, and later Podar College, where he helped his team win multiple trophies. Under coach Pravin Amre’s mentorship at Shivaji Park, Iyer’s talent blossomed.
Domestic Career Highlights
List A Debut (2014–15 Vijay Hazare Trophy): 273 runs at an average of 54.60
First-Class Debut (2014–15 Ranji Trophy): 809 runs at 50.56 average in debut season
2015–16 Ranji Trophy: Top scorer with 1,321 runs; 2nd highest ever in a Ranji season
Scored 202* vs Australia in a practice match in 2017
Held the record for highest T20 score by an Indian (147 in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy)
Played for Lancashire in England (2021), before injury curtailed his season
Took Delhi Capitals to their first-ever IPL final in 2020
Captained KKR to title victory in IPL 2024
Became the highest-paid IPL player at ₹26.75 crore in 2025, before record was broken by Rishabh Pant
Captaincy Journey
Delhi Capitals (2018–2021) Took over from Gautam Gambhir in 2018 and led the team to their best-ever finish in 2020—runners-up.
Kolkata Knight Riders (2022, 2024) Returned from injury in 2024 to captain KKR to their third IPL title, becoming the first player to lead two different franchises to IPL finals.
Punjab Kings (2025) Signed as captain but faced a challenging season with back-to-back final defeats across T20 leagues.
International Career
ODI Debut: Dec 2017 vs Sri Lanka
T20I Debut: Nov 2017 vs New Zealand
Test Debut: Nov 2021 vs New Zealand (Scored 105 & 65)
Only Indian to score a century and fifty on Test debut
Key contributor in India’s win at the 2025 Champions Trophy
Scored 204 runs in a T20I series vs Sri Lanka (2022), breaking Kohli’s record
Named ICC Player of the Month (Feb 2022 & March 2025)
Missed 2023 WTC Final due to back surgery but returned for Asia Cup and World Cup 2023
Century against New Zealand in 2023 World Cup semi-final
Major Injuries
Shoulder injury in 2021
Chronic back pain led to surgery in 2023
Missed 2023 IPL season and Test Championship Final
Achievements & Records
First player to lead two IPL franchises to the final
IPL 2024 champion with KKR as captain
Fastest Indian to 1000 ODI runs (in terms of innings)
Multiple international centuries across formats
Played pivotal roles in ICC tournaments (Asia Cup, World Cup, Champions Trophy)
