Shreyas Iyer updated his Instagram bio ahead of India’s two-match T20I series against Ireland, adding a line that read ‘Second DOB: 25.12.2025’. The date refers to Thursday, December 25, 2025, the day he batted for the first time after recovering from a spleen injury he suffered during India’s tour of Australia.
Iyer sustained a spleen laceration during the Australia series in October 2025, which kept him out of India’s ODI series against South Africa and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. On that day, he resumed batting in Mumbai and went through his drills for close to an hour without any pain or discomfort, according to the Times of India. He chose to mark it as a new beginning in his career.
‘Second DOB: 25.12.2025,’ his Instagram bio read ahead of Friday’s opening T20I in Belfast.
A record IPL captain now leads India
Iyer was named India’s 15th T20I captain by the BCCI on Saturday, June 6, replacing Suryakumar Yadav ahead of the new cycle leading up to the 2028 T20 World Cup. Yadav had led India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title before the selectors chose Iyer to begin a new era. Tilak Varma was named vice-captain.
Iyer’s IPL record made him the selectors’ choice. He has captained Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings, and led each of them to an IPL final. He is the only captain in IPL history to take three different franchises to the final. He won the trophy with KKR in 2024. Across 101 IPL matches as captain, he has won 55 games and lost 41.
Ireland first, England next
India play two T20Is against Ireland at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Friday, June 26, and Sunday, June 28. The same squad then travels to England for five T20Is between Wednesday, July 1, and Saturday, July 11. Three ODIs follow, in Birmingham on Tuesday, July 14, Cardiff on Thursday, July 16, and London on Sunday, July 19.
India have not lost a T20I against Ireland in eight matches. A win in Belfast would give Iyer’s side confidence heading into the England T20I series, which begins in the first week of July.
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