Venkatesh Iyer is one of the renowned Indian cricketer who is lovingly called Venky . He was born in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Venky plays domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh ,India. In Indian Premier League (IPL), Venkatesh Iyer was part of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). From the sources , Venkateshwar Iyer will play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB ) in 2026. He is famous for outstanding left hand batting and medium-fast right hand bowling. He has gain recognition for his remarkable performances in Indian Premier League (IPL). In this article, we will explore everything related to Venkatesh Iyer, his age, early life and education, career journey, girlfriend and more.
Who is Venkatesh Iyer?
Venkatesh Rajasekaran Iyer is an Indian cricketer and is recognized as a batting all-rounder. Venkatesh has the quality to handle pressure and play the game with ease. Born and raised in Madhya Pradesh , he managed to built career in cricket at national and franchise level. His journey is not less than a roller- coaster ride. From playing in domestic cricket to getting recognized at T-20 level, Venky proved that milestones can be achieved with consistency, practice and perseverance.
Venkatesh Iyer Age
Venkatesh Iyer was born on December 25, 1994. He is 31 years old as of 2026. He is at the peak of his career where experience and position matters a lot.
Biography Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Venkatesh Rajasekaran Iyer |
| Nickname | Venky |
| Profession | Cricketer |
| Date of Birth | 25 December 1994 |
| Age (2026) | 31 Years |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Domestic Team | Madhya Pradesh |
| Relationship Status | Married to Shruti Raghunathan |
Venkatesh Iyer Height & Other Stats
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 feet (Approx. 1.83 m) |
| Weight | 75–80 kg |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
Early Life and Education
Venkatesh Iyer was born and raised in Indore .Venky had a deep interest in cricket from childhood only . At the age of 10 , he joined a cricket club in Indore and used to practice cricket there . He started his journey as a wicketkeeper-batsman.
He did his schooling from St. Paul Higher Secondary School in Indore .He is one of those cricketers who balanced their education with sports very well. He completed B.Com from DAVV university in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. He was a book-warm and loved accounting. He passed CA- intermediate Examinations and decided to drop CA later because he wanted to shift to cricket as a full- time career. For that, Venkatesh Iyer earned an MBA from Institute of Management Studies, DAVV. Venkatesh is a perfect example of a role model for young cricket aspirants. His journey teaches us the art of balancing education along with sports.
Family Background
Venkatesh Iyer belongs to a middle-class South- Indian family from Indore. His parents has played an indispensable role in shaping his cricket journey. Their unflinching support and guidance motivated him to stay consistent. His father, Rajasekaran Iyer is a Human Resource (HR) consultant. His father was a bit afraid for his son’s full-time career in cricket and wanted him to give professional education. Later, he realized his son’s potential in cricket and supported him with full heart. Venky’s mother also supported and played a vital role in his success. His mother’s name is not mentioned publically. He is also blessed with a supportive brother.
Career Journey
| Category | Team / Event | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Debut | Madhya Pradesh | 2014 |
| List A Debut | Vijay Hazare Trophy | 2015 |
| IPL Debut | Kolkata Knight Riders | 2021 |
| International Debut | India (T20I / ODI) | 2021 |
Domestic Cricket Career
- Iyer made his first T20 debut for Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy . It was held in Indore on 25 March 2015 . Though he didn’t get chance to bat ,he managed to pick up one wicket in that match.
- In 2018-19 Ranji Trophy , he played for Madhya Pradesh.
- In 2021-22 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy , Iyer earned 155 runs at an average of 51.66
- He did outstanding performance in 2021-22 Vijay Hazare Trophy where he scored 379 runs at an average of 63.16. He made two centuries in this series and one of the score was 151. Later, he got famous as the first batsman to score above 150 batting at the number 6.
- His remarkable achievements in domestic cricket paved way for his debut in the IPL.
IPL Career
- Iyer’s big break came in February 2021, when he got selected for IPL by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR ). In September 2021, Iyer made his first IPL debut against Royal Challengers Benguluru (RCB)
- He scored half-century in a match against Mumbai Indians on 23 September,2021.
- With his unstoppable achievements, Venkatesh became one of the most important player for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He scored 370 runs for team KKR at an average of 41 .
- In 2024 , KKR bought him back for Rs. 23.75 crore.
- For the 2026 IPL Season , Venkatesh is signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for Rs. 7 crores
International Career
- Venkatesh Iyer made his international debut in 2021 ICC T20 World Cup in November 2021. He was named as a player of India for a series against New Zealand.
- In December 2021, his name was listed in India’s One Day International Series (ODI) against South Africa
- On 19 January 2022 , He made his other ODI Debut against South Africa.
- Iyer made his T20 debut for India in January 2022 .In this squad series, he played all the three matches against West Indies and scored runs at a strike rate of 179.24 .
- He also got appreciated for wicket-keeping.
- In June 2022, Iyer played for India again in T20 series against Ireland.
- Though his international debuts have been less as compared to his appearances in IPL . He has managed to showcase his all rounder talent in every match he played.
Achievements and Awards
- He is the one of the highest paid player in the IPL Auction for his expensive demand and all-rounder batting skills.
- He was titled as vice- captain for the team KKR in the IPL Auction, 2025
- In IPL 2023 and 2024 , he has been consistently winning “Man of the Match Award’’ for KKR against Mumbai Indians (MI)
- In IPL 2024 , he was part of the team lifting the IPL trophy ( Kolkata Knight Riders).
Venkatesh Iyer Wife
Venkatesh Iyer is married to Shruti Raghunathan. The couple facilitated their engagement ceremony in November 2023. Their wedding ceremony was based on South-Indian theme and tradition and only closed ones were invited for the same. The couple got married on 2nd June 2024. Venkatesh often shares lovely pictures with his wife Shruti Raghunathan on social media. The couple always support each other and is seen in a healthy relationship.
Controversies
- After Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) signed him for ₹23.75 crores , fans started criticizing and giving him nametags like “INR 23.75 crore fraud”. This was because of high price tag , KKR gave him huge pressure .Unfortunately , it was a poor start to the season and critics started trolling him.
- Iyer used to do opening earlier .Later, he moved to middle order . Critics started questioning his skills as an opener.
Venkatesh Iyer Networth
Venkatesh Iyer’s networth is ranged between ₹25-35 crores. His major sources of income are mainly from cricket and brand deals.
Car Collection
Venkatesh Iyer has luxurious car collection. One of his attractive collection is Range Rover Velar valued at ₹ 94.3 lakhs approximately. He is known to buy expensive cars.
According to sources, details of his other collections are not mentioned.
Lesser known facts About Venkatesh Iyer
- In his initial days, Iyer used to do wicket-keeping .
- He is famous for his 6 feet height.
- He prefers simplicity over luxurious lifestyle.
- Unlikely other cricketers, he is one of the few to hold an MBA.
Social Media Handles
Venkatesh Iyer is active on Social Media and often shares candid moments and match updates to his fans.
| Platform | Username | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| @venky_iyer | 1 Million Followers | |
| Twitter (X) | @venkateshiyer | 48.3K Followers |
| @VenkateshIyer | 56K Followers |
FAQs
Venkatesh Iyer’s Net worth is ₹25-35 crores .
Venkatesh is 6 feet (183 cm ) tall.
Venkatesh is 31 years old as of 2026.
Yes, Venkatesh is married to Shruti Raghunathan.
Iyer’s highest score was 104 runs in IPL.
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