Shreyas Iyer is an Indian right-handed top-order batter from Mumbai. His path runs from a difficult first Ranji Trophy match to an India debut, an IPL title as captain and a leading role in India’s 2026 T20I side.
Know the player
Shreyas Iyer at a glance
- Date of birth
- 6 December 1994
- Age
- 31 years
- Birthplace
- Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Playing role
- Top-order batter
- Batting style
- Right-handed
- India debut
- November 2017
- Domestic team
- Mumbai
- IPL team
- Punjab Kings
- IPL 2026 runs
- 498
Profile checked on 14 October 2026. Age is shown as of this date.
Where it began
Early life and cricket roots
Shreyas Iyer was born in Mumbai on 6 December 1994. He came through Mumbai’s strong junior cricket system and the India Under-19 pathway before moving into senior domestic cricket.
The domestic turning point
From a nervous debut to Mumbai’s run-maker
Shreyas Iyer made his first-class debut for Mumbai against Jammu and Kashmir at Wankhede Stadium on 7 December 2014. In a BCCI interview, he described the nerves of being told he would play on his birthday and the disappointment of a seven-run first innings.
His response was practical: he stopped playing defensively and trusted his natural strokes. After being promoted to No. 3, runs followed. He finished his first Ranji season with 809 runs at an average above 50, then made 1,321 runs at 73 in the next campaign. His double hundred against Punjab and a century in Mumbai’s 2016 Ranji Trophy final helped establish him as a batter ready for the next level.
India career
A white-ball batter with a Test debut hundred
Shreyas Iyer made his T20I debut against New Zealand in Delhi on 1 November 2017 and his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Dharamsala on 10 December 2017. His first ODI hundred came against New Zealand in Hamilton in 2020.
He made his Test debut against New Zealand at Kanpur in November 2021 and scored 105 in the first innings. At the 2023 ODI World Cup, he hit two centuries, including 128 against the Netherlands. The innings showed why India’s middle order valued his ability to score quickly without losing shape.
In July 2026, Iyer played in India’s T20I series in England. Iyer scored 80 not out at Bristol on 9 July and 28 at Southampton on 11 July.
The franchise journey
From Delhi leader to IPL champion
Shreyas Iyer entered the IPL with Delhi in 2015 and made 439 runs in his first season, earning the Emerging Player of the Year award. He became Delhi’s captain during the 2018 season and led the side to its first IPL final in 2020.
He joined Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022. After missing the 2023 season, he returned to lead KKR to the 2024 title. KKR beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in the final, and Iyer called the team’s campaign “flawless” in the post-match interview reported by ESPNcricinfo.
Punjab Kings bought him at the 2025 auction and named him captain. The franchise’s official profile records 498 runs in 14 IPL matches in 2026, including 101 not out against Lucknow Super Giants. Read more about the franchise in our Punjab Kings team profile.
Recent career chapter · 2026
Leading India in England
Iyer led India in the July 2026 T20I series in England, where he scored 80 not out at Bristol on 9 July and 28 at Southampton on 11 July.
The journey in order
Career timeline
- 2014First-class debut for MumbaiPlayed Jammu and Kashmir at Wankhede Stadium in December.
- 2015IPL debut and Emerging Player awardScored 439 runs for Delhi in his first IPL season.
- 2016Ranji season of 1,321 runsHelped Mumbai win their 41st Ranji Trophy with a final century.
- 2017India debut in both white-ball formatsPlayed his first T20I and ODI for India.
- 2021Test debut hundredScored 105 against New Zealand at Kanpur.
- 2024Led KKR to the IPL titleKKR beat SRH in the final for their third championship.
- 2026Strong IPL season for PunjabMade 498 runs, including 101 not out, in the official PBKS season record.
Standout chapters
Major achievements
A major Mumbai season at an average of 73.
His 2015 Delhi season brought the Emerging Player award.
Scored against New Zealand in Kanpur in 2021.
Led Kolkata Knight Riders to their third title.
Quick answers
Shreyas Iyer biography FAQs
How old is Shreyas Iyer?
He is 31 years old as of 14 October 2026. He was born on 6 December 1994.
Where was Shreyas Iyer born?
He was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
When did he make his India debut?
His T20I debut was against New Zealand on 1 November 2017. His ODI debut came against Sri Lanka on 10 December 2017.
Which IPL team does he play for?
He plays for Punjab Kings and was named the team’s captain for IPL 2025. The official PBKS profile records 498 runs in IPL 2026.
Did he score a hundred on Test debut?
Yes. He scored 105 against New Zealand at Kanpur in November 2021.
Which IPL title did he win as captain?
He led Kolkata Knight Riders to the 2024 IPL title, their third championship.
