Shreyas Iyer

One of Mumbai cricket’s never-ending pipeline of stylish batters, Shreyas Iyer has developed into one of the most reliable cricketers in Indian colors. Now an IPL-winning captain with Kolkata Knight Riders, Iyer is an experienced cricketer whom India will be looking to as a core piece of their international efforts in the future.

Early Career — Shining for Mumbai

Shreyas Iyer’s talents caught the eye of former Indian cricketer Pravin Amre in the cradle of Mumbai youth cricket, Shivaji Park. After playing in the 2014 U-19 World Cup, Iyer made his debut for Mumbai in the 2014 season, first in List A cricket followed by First-Class.

2015 would be his breakthrough season, as he amassed 1321 runs in the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy season—at that time, the most in a single season since VVS Laxman in 2001. He averaged 73.38, scored at a quick rate, and helped Mumbai to their 41st Ranji Trophy under the coaching of Chandrakant Pandit.

IPL Breakthrough

2015 also marked a breakthrough year on the biggest stage for Shreyas Iyer, as he had a standout IPL campaign. After being purchased by the Delhi Daredevils for ?2.6 crore in the auction, there were heavy expectations on his young shoulders. He delivered by scoring 439 runs that season, earning the Emerging Player Award for his successes in a struggling Delhi franchise.

Shreyas Iyer formed the core of an exciting young Indian batting order for Delhi, alongside Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant. After Gautam Gambhir stepped down as captain in a difficult 2018 season, Iyer took over the reins at just 23 years old. He announced his arrival as captain with a blistering 93 not out against KKR in his first match as skipper.

In his first full season as captain, Iyer led the newly-renamed Delhi Capitals to the 2019 playoffs, the first for the Delhi franchise since 2012. He would also take them to their first IPL final in 2020.

Arriving on the International Scene

Shreyas Iyer’s incredible domestic form with Mumbai and clear leadership potential made him a highly sought-after player for the Indian national team. He made his T20 debut against New Zealand in November 2017, and his ODI debut the following month against Sri Lanka. He had to wait for his maiden Test call-up until 2021, but he made it count with a century on debut against New Zealand. He is now India’s first-choice No. 5 in red-ball cricket.

Although his struggles against the short ball are widely spoken about, Shreyas Iyer nevertheless had a stellar 2023 ODI World Cup, scoring 530 runs in 11 innings as an out-and-out attacking hitter. This included a crucial century in the semifinal against New Zealand off just 70 balls, considered among the finest World Cup innings by any Indian batter.

IPL Silverware

After injury saw him lose his Delhi captaincy in 2021, Shreyas Iyer was in high demand during the following mega-auction, as multiple teams sought a captaincy option. He ultimately joined Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 12.25 crore.

Iyer was joined in the leadership group by his former Mumbai coach Chandrakant Pandit and his former Delhi captain Gautam Gambhir. It was a combination that brought immediate success for Iyer and KKR, as he led a thoroughly dominant outfit to the IPL 2024 trophy, their first since 2014.

Shreyas Iyer has firmly established himself as one of the finest modern Indian batters who keeps improving his game year by year. He is now a bona fide future Indian captain as the team transitions. Now a senior player, he figures to be a significant link as India moves on from its icons toward an exciting and youthful future.