Venkatesh Iyer’s wife is Shruti Raghunathan, a fashion management professional working as a Merchandise Planner at Lifestyle International Private Limited in Bengaluru. The KKR all-rounder married her on June 2, 2024, in a traditional South Indian ceremony, just weeks after he helped lift the IPL 2024 trophy with Kolkata Knight Riders.
Who Is Shruti Raghunathan?
Shruti Raghunathan is a fashion industry professional based in Bengaluru, Karnataka. She works as a Merchandise Planner at Lifestyle International Private Limited, one of India’s largest fashion retail chains. Her role involves managing product assortment, inventory planning, and trend forecasting across categories.
She is not a public figure in the entertainment or sports world, and has largely kept a low profile even after her marriage to Venkatesh Iyer brought her name into national sports coverage. By most accounts, she is known among family and friends as grounded, academically accomplished, and deeply invested in her career.
That combination of quiet professionalism and a high-profile marriage defines her public image: she stepped into the spotlight only after the wedding photos went viral in June 2024, attracting attention not just from cricket fans but from wedding fashion enthusiasts across India.
Shruti Raghunathan’s Education and Career
Shruti Raghunathan holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from PSG College of Arts and Science in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, one of the most respected autonomous colleges affiliated with Bharathiar University. She followed that with a postgraduate specialization, earning a Master’s degree in Fashion Management from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), the premier government-run fashion institution in India.
NIFT was established in 1986 under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Its Fashion Management programme is considered the most rigorous business-side qualification in India’s fashion industry, covering supply chain, buying, merchandising, and retail operations. Shruti’s path from PSG Coimbatore to NIFT to a senior merchandising role at Lifestyle International reflects a deliberate career trajectory, not simply an extension of a family background.
At Lifestyle International Private Limited, part of the Landmark Group, she manages merchandise planning, a function that determines which products appear in stores and in what quantities. It is a commercially critical role in any fashion retail business, sitting at the intersection of buying, finance, and store operations.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shruti Raghunathan |
| Profession | Merchandise Planner, Lifestyle International Pvt. Ltd. |
| Undergraduate Education | BCom, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore |
| Postgraduate Education | Masters in Fashion Management, NIFT |
| City | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Engagement Date | November 21, 2023 |
| Wedding Date | June 2, 2024 |
Relationship Timeline: From Engagement to Marriage
Venkatesh Iyer and Shruti Raghunathan got engaged on November 21, 2023. The announcement came directly from the cricketer himself, who shared photos from the engagement ceremony on Instagram with the caption: “On to the next chapter of my life #engaged.” For the occasion, Venkatesh wore a traditional kurta with pyjamas, while Shruti wore a silk saree with traditional jewellery.
The engagement drew considerable attention online, though both families kept the event relatively private. No large public celebration was announced, and the couple shared only a handful of curated photos. That restraint was entirely consistent with Shruti’s general approach to public life.
The wedding followed roughly six months later. On June 2, 2024, days after Kolkata Knight Riders clinched the IPL 2024 title, Venkatesh Iyer and Shruti Raghunathan were married in a traditional South Indian ceremony. The timing was remarkable: an IPL championship win and a wedding within weeks of each other made June 2024 the most eventful period of Venkatesh Iyer’s adult life.
Wedding photography was handled by Vivek Krishnan Photography. The photos that circulated on social media gave the public its first detailed look at the ceremony.
The Wedding Ceremony: Traditional South Indian Rituals
The wedding was conducted following South Indian Brahmin traditions, with multiple outfit changes that are customary in such ceremonies. Each ritual has its own significance, and the attire choices reflected that structure.
During the varmala (garland exchange) ritual, Venkatesh wore a white dhoti with green and golden borders. Shruti appeared in a blue saree with intricate golden embroidery, paired with traditional jewellery, a braided hairdo adorned with gajras (jasmine flowers), and full bridal makeup. The image of the varmala moment was one of the most widely shared from the wedding.
For subsequent rituals, Shruti changed into a rani pink saree with green borders and an embellished blouse, keeping her hair in a ponytail with a single broad necklace. The final look for the main wedding ceremony saw both of them in yellow, Venkatesh in a yellow dhoti and Shruti in a matching traditional yellow ensemble, following the custom of coordinated ceremonial attire.
The visible care put into each outfit change said something about how the family approached the event. South Indian weddings are rarely one-look affairs; the sartorial rhythm of the ceremony is itself a form of ritual participation.
Venkatesh Iyer: The Cricketer Behind the Headlines
Venkatesh Iyer is a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League. He gained national attention during IPL 2021, when he broke into the KKR team with a series of explosive opening partnerships that turned the franchise’s season around. His aggressive batting style, capable of clearing the boundary early in the powerplay, filled a specific role that KKR had lacked for years.
He has represented India in T20 Internationals and has been part of the national squad across formats, though his India career has had its ups and downs with squad selection. At the IPL level, his value to KKR has been consistent. In IPL 2024, KKR won the title, their third overall, with Venkatesh Iyer contributing throughout the campaign. That championship win, combined with his wedding just weeks later, made 2024 personally and professionally his most significant year.
Born on September 25, 1994, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, he studied at Daly College and later completed his chartered accountancy, which remains a striking biographical footnote: a qualified CA who chose professional cricket over finance. His IPL contract with KKR was reportedly renewed at a significant value in the 2024 retention cycle, underlining his importance to the franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Venkatesh Iyer’s wife’s name?
Venkatesh Iyer’s wife’s name is Shruti Raghunathan. She is a fashion professional based in Bengaluru and works as a Merchandise Planner at Lifestyle International Private Limited.
When did Venkatesh Iyer get married?
Venkatesh Iyer married Shruti Raghunathan on June 2, 2024. The wedding was held as a traditional South Indian ceremony.
When did Venkatesh Iyer get engaged?
Venkatesh Iyer and Shruti Raghunathan got engaged on November 21, 2023. He announced the engagement on Instagram with the caption “On to the next chapter of my life #engaged.”
What does Shruti Raghunathan do for a living?
Shruti Raghunathan works as a Merchandise Planner at Lifestyle International Private Limited in Bengaluru. She holds a BCom degree from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, and a Master’s in Fashion Management from NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology).
Where did Shruti Raghunathan study?
She completed her undergraduate studies at PSG College of Arts and Science in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, earning a BCom degree. She later completed a Master’s degree in Fashion Management from NIFT, the National Institute of Fashion Technology.
What IPL team does Venkatesh Iyer play for?
Venkatesh Iyer plays for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. KKR is owned by Shah Rukh Khan, and the team won the IPL 2024 title, which Venkatesh was part of.
Where is Venkatesh Iyer from?
Venkatesh Iyer is from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. He was born on September 25, 1994, and attended Daly College before pursuing cricket at the professional level.
Did Venkatesh Iyer share wedding photos on social media?
Yes. Wedding photographs taken by Vivek Krishnan Photography circulated widely on social media after the June 2, 2024 ceremony. Several sports and entertainment media outlets published the images. Venkatesh Iyer also shared engagement photos on his Instagram in November 2023.
