N V Raghunath at 06:21, 7 May 2026

2026-05-07T06:21:52Z

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{{BLP sources|date=March 2026}}
{{Short description|Indian journalist and author (born 1985)}}

{{Infobox journalist
| name = Aditya Iyer
| image = Aditya Iyer.jpg
| caption = Iyer in 2024
| birth_date = 18 May 1985
| occupation = Journalist, author
}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2026}}
'''Aditya Iyer''' (born 18 May 1985) is an Indian journalist and author known for long-form narrative reportage. He is the author of ''Gully Gully: Travels Around India During the 2023 World Cup'' (2024), published by [[Penguin Random House]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=8 December 2024 |title=Gully Gully is a loving travelogue through Indian cities that hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup matches |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/gully-gully-is-a-loving-travelogue-through-indian-cities-that-hosted-the-2023-cricket-world-cup-matches-9711969/ |access-date=16 February 2026 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Iyer was born in [[Mumbai]], India. He studied at [[Rishi Valley School]] and later graduated with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in Physics from [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai]].

== Career ==
Iyer began his career in 2009 as a sports correspondent with ''[[The Indian Express]]'', where he covered cricket, football and tennis, including the ICC [[Cricket World Cup]], the [[FIFA World Cup]] and the tennis [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] tournaments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 September 2015 |title=US Open 2015: Novak Djokovic beats legend Roger Federer, writes his own |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/tennis/us-open-2015-djokovic-beats-legend-writes-his-own/ |access-date=16 February 2026 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

In 2013, he received the Red Ink Award for Excellence in Journalism (Sports) from the Mumbai Press Club for his feature on [[Formula One]] driver [[Michael Schumacher]], ''Quietly Fades the Don''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Rathod |first=Pranav |title=Pressclub Mumbai |url=https://mumbaipressclub.com/pages/redink2013 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240421202615/https://mumbaipressclub.com/pages/redink2013 |archive-date=21 April 2024 |access-date=16 February 2026 |website=MumbaiPressclub}}</ref>

In 2016, he joined ''[[Open (Indian magazine)|Open Magazine]]'' and shifted toward long-form narrative journalism. His reporting expanded beyond sport into character-led features and immersive on-ground writing. His work has included reporting from the [[Maasai Mara]] in [[Kenya]], the [[Kumbh Mela]], post-war [[Jaffna]] in northern [[Sri Lanka]], and [[Kota, Rajasthan]], where he wrote on student suicides in India's coaching-hub culture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iyer |first=Aditya |date=6 October 2023 |title=Death by Dreams in Kota |url=https://openthemagazine.com/feature/death-by-dreams-in-kota |access-date=16 February 2026 |website=Open Magazine |language=en}}</ref>

He later joined the ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' as Chief Cricket Writer before returning to ''Open Magazine''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iyer |first=Aditya |date=23 January 2026 |title=Jallikattu: Raging Bulls |url=https://openthemagazine.com/india/jallikattu-raging-bulls |access-date=16 February 2026 |website=Open Magazine |language=en}}</ref>

== Books ==
''Gully Gully: Travels Around India During the 2023 World Cup'' (Penguin Random House, 2024) traces the landscapes, cities and cultures surrounding cricket in India through reportage and travel writing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aditya Iyer |url=https://www.penguin.co.in/book_author/aditya-iyer/ |access-date=16 February 2026 |website=Penguin Random House India |language=en-US}}</ref>

The book was reviewed by several Indian publications, including ''The Telegraph,''<ref>{{Cite web |title=A memorable journey |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/books/a-memorable-journey-spotlight-on-aditya-iyers-gully-gully/cid/2076611 |access-date=16 February 2026}}</ref> ''The Financial Express,''<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 2025 |title=Beyond the scoreboard: Gully Gully a cricket travelouge of world cup journey |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/life/lifestyle/beyond-the-scoreboard-gully-gully-a-cricket-travelouge-of-world-cup-journey/3771607/ |access-date=16 February 2026 |website=The Financial Express |language=en}}</ref> ''Deccan Herald,''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breezy travelogue with a side of cricket! |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/features/books/breezy-travelogue-with-a-side-of-cricket-3326429 |access-date=16 February 2026 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> and ''The Indian Express''.<ref name=":0" />

* The Indian Express wrote that Gully Gully “strikes this rare emotional connection,” noting that Iyer’s narrative voice connects the cities that hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup to the sport itself, “transforming sportswriting into literature that is both serious and delightful.”<ref>{{cite news |last=G |first=Sandip |date=8 December 2024 |title=Gully Gully is a loving travelogue through Indian cities that hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup matches |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/gully-gully-is-a-loving-travelogue-through-indian-cities-that-hosted-the-2023-cricket-world-cup-matches-9711969/ |work=The Indian Express}}</ref>

* The Financial Express described the book as “a brilliant book for cricket lovers, written with style and gay abandon,” highlighting how its travelogue format “makes the journey as exhilarating as the matches themselves.”<ref>{{cite news |date=9 March 2025 |title=Beyond the scoreboard: Gully Gully a cricket travelouge of world cup journey |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/life/lifestyle/beyond-the-scoreboard-gully-gully-a-cricket-travelouge-of-world-cup-journey/3771607/ |work=The Financial Express}}</ref>

* The Telegraph (India) said the book “reignites the fervour and passion that gripped every corner of cricket-mad India,” and praised Iyer’s insightful exploration of “the gullies” where the game lives alongside India’s history, culture and politics. <ref>{{cite news |last=Majumdar |first=Indranil |date=10 January 2025 |title=A memorable journey: Spotlight on Aditya Iyer’s Gully Gully |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/books/a-memorable-journey-spotlight-on-aditya-iyers-gully-gully/cid/2076611 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref>

* Deccan Herald noted “there is pathos to be dealt with but this is a book that largely celebrates cricket and its Indian beating heart, and also doubles up as an excellent travelogue."<ref>{{cite news |last=Jawali |first=Madhu |date=21 December 2024 |title=Breezy travelogue with a side of cricket! |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/features/books/breezy-travelogue-with-a-side-of-cricket-3326429 |work=Deccan Herald}}</ref>

* The Hindu observed that Gully Gully uses its narrative to convey the "sweeping atmosphere of a nation gripped by the tournament" and the places it touched. <ref>{{cite news |date=8 November 2024 |title=Journeys with the Indian cricket team during World Cup 2023 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-reviews/journeys-with-the-indian-cricket-team-during-world-cup-2023/article68831976.ece |work=The Hindu}}</ref>

The book received a Special Jury Award at the Ekamra Sports Literature Festival.<ref name=":0" />

== Awards ==
* Red Ink Award for Excellence in Journalism (Sports), Mumbai Press Club (2013)<ref name=":1" />
* Special Jury Award, Ekamra Sports Literature Festival<ref name=":0" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iyer, Aditya}}
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Journalists from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Rishi Valley School alumni]]
[[Category:St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian journalists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:Indian male journalists]]
[[Category:Indian sports journalists]]
[[Category:Hindustan Times journalists]]

Aditya Iyer - Revision history

N V Raghunath at 06:21, 7 May 2026