Shreyas Santosh Iyer is an Indian international cricketer known for calm batting under pressure and sharp leadership. A right-handed middle-order batter, he is the only player to have led three different Indian Premier League franchises to a final, and he has grown into a central figure in India’s white-ball plans. As of November 2026, Iyer is India’s ODI vice-captain and has also taken charge of the national T20I side.
Interest in Iyer has surged again with India’s tour of New Zealand, where he is vice-captain for the opening three one-day internationals before leading the final two.
| Shreyas Iyer Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shreyas Santosh Iyer |
| Date of Birth | 6 December 1994 |
| Age (as of 4 November 2026) | 31 years |
| Birthplace | Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Height | Listed between 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) and 5 ft 11 in (180 cm); sources differ |
| Occupation | Professional cricketer |
| Playing Role | Right-handed middle-order batter; occasional leg-break bowler |
| Known For | Leading three IPL teams to finals; 2023 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy; ODI vice-captain |
| Current Teams | India; Mumbai (domestic); Punjab Kings (IPL) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
Early Life
Shreyas Iyer was born on 6 December 1994 in Chembur, a suburb of Mumbai, Maharashtra. His father, Santosh Iyer, is a Tamil speaker whose family roots lie in Thrissur, Kerala, while his mother, Rohini Iyer, is a Tulu speaker from the Mangaluru region of Karnataka. He grew up in a cricket-loving Mumbai household and has a sister, Shresta.
Iyer attended Don Bosco High School in Matunga and later studied at Podar College in Mumbai, where he played a key role in the college team’s trophy-winning runs. His talent was spotted early at the Shivaji Park Gymkhana, one of Mumbai’s famous nurseries of cricket, where former India batter Pravin Amre coached him through his formative years. He also represented India at the 2014 Under-19 World Cup before his rapid rise through Mumbai’s senior ranks.
Career
Iyer made his first-class debut for Mumbai in the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy season, scoring 809 runs in his maiden campaign. The following season he piled up 1,321 runs at an average above 73, finishing as the season’s highest scorer. His domestic form earned him an IPL deal, and Delhi Daredevils signed him in 2015 for Rs 2.6 crore. He scored 439 runs in his debut season and was named Emerging Player of the tournament.
Leadership came early. In April 2018, after Gautam Gambhir stepped down mid-season, Iyer took charge of Delhi at just 23, becoming its youngest captain at the time, and marked his captaincy debut with an unbeaten 93 off 40 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders. Under him, Delhi reached the playoffs in 2019 and their first-ever IPL final in 2020, losing to Mumbai Indians. A shoulder injury in early 2021 cost him half that season, and Delhi released him ahead of the 2022 mega auction.
Kolkata Knight Riders bought Iyer for Rs 12.25 crore and made him captain. After missing the entire 2023 season with a back injury, he returned to lead the side to the IPL title in 2024. Released again ahead of the 2025 auction, he was signed by Punjab Kings for Rs 26.75 crore and took them to the final with more than 600 runs, becoming the only captain to have led three different franchises to an IPL final. Like fellow young India batter Tilak Varma, Iyer’s IPL success has gone hand in hand with his international growth, and his domestic consistency invites comparison with prolific Karnataka opener Devdutt Padikkal.
Internationally, Iyer debuted in T20Is against New Zealand in November 2017 and in ODIs against Sri Lanka a month later. His Test debut, against New Zealand at Kanpur in November 2021, was a landmark: he scored 105 in the first innings and a half-century in the second, becoming the first Indian to record a century and a fifty on Test debut. He was a pillar of India’s run to the 2023 ODI World Cup final, scoring 530 runs, including a 105 off 70 balls against New Zealand in the semi-final. He then finished as India’s top scorer, with 243 runs, in the victorious 2025 Champions Trophy campaign.
The year 2026 brought fresh responsibility. As reported by Cricbuzz, Iyer became India’s 15th T20I captain in June 2026, and in October he struck his maiden T20I century, an unbeaten 102 against the West Indies in Lucknow. For the New Zealand ODI series beginning on 4 November 2026, he is vice-captain to Shubman Gill for the first three games and will take over as captain for the last two matches in Mount Maunganui. The series opener itself had not yet been played at the time of writing.
Personal Life
Despite his fame, Iyer keeps his private life largely out of the spotlight. He is unmarried, and his family remains central to his story: his father supported his cricketing dream from childhood, and his mother and sister are regulars at his matches.
Off the field, Iyer is known for a relaxed, confident personality and a sharp sense of style that has made him a popular face for brands. He lives in Mumbai and speaks Tamil, Marathi and Hindi.
Net Worth
Shreyas Iyer’s net worth is not officially disclosed, and published estimates vary widely, roughly in the range of Rs 55 crore to Rs 100 crore as of 2026. His IPL salary is the biggest documented component: Punjab Kings bought him for Rs 26.75 crore at the 2025 mega auction, following earlier deals worth Rs 12.25 crore with Kolkata Knight Riders and Rs 2.6 crore in his first IPL season.
Beyond the IPL, Iyer earns from his BCCI central contract, international match fees and brand endorsements built on his calm image and leadership record. His growing role as a national-team leader in 2026 is likely to strengthen his endorsement appeal further.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shreyas Iyer’s age?
Shreyas Iyer was born on 6 December 1994, which makes him 31 years old as of 4 November 2026. He turns 32 on his birthday in December 2026.
What is Shreyas Iyer’s height?
Profiles differ slightly on his height, listing him between 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) and 5 ft 11 in (180 cm).
What is Shreyas Iyer’s net worth in 2026?
His net worth is not officially disclosed. Estimates published by various outlets range roughly from Rs 55 crore to Rs 100 crore, driven mainly by his Rs 26.75 crore IPL salary with Punjab Kings, his BCCI contract and endorsements.
Is Shreyas Iyer married?
No. As of November 2026, Shreyas Iyer is unmarried and keeps his personal life private.
What is Shreyas Iyer’s role in the New Zealand ODI series 2026?
He is India’s vice-captain for the first three ODIs of the five-match series starting 4 November 2026, and he will captain the side for the final two matches in Mount Maunganui.
Which IPL teams has Shreyas Iyer captained?
Iyer has captained Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings. He led Kolkata to the IPL title in 2024 and took all three franchises to at least one IPL final, a record no other captain holds.
