Asia Cup: What more does Shreyas Iyer have to do?

MUMBAI: The exclusion of Shreyas Iyer from India’s T20 squad for the Asia Cup has sparked significant outrage among experts and fans alike. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the 20-man squad, including five reserves, at the BCCI headquarters on Tuesday.

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When questioned by this reporter about Iyer’s omission despite his strong performances in the IPL— where he was acquired by Punjab Kings for a mammoth Rs 26.75 crore, making him the second most expensive player in last year’s auction after Rishabh Pant (Rs 27 crore)—Agarkar, alongside T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, stated, “With regard to Shreyas, who can he replace? No fault of his, nor is it ours. At the moment, you can just pick 15.

So he will have to wait for his chance.”Despite these assurances, Iyer’s name does not feature in the final 20-man squad, including the reserves. Among the selected batters, Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh were chosen over him, with Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper) and Riyan Parag (allrounder) taking reserve spots.A BCCI source told TOI, “A seasoned player like Shreyas can’t be named in the reserves, please understand this! If you pick him, he plays in the XI. No one has any grudge against Iyer. He will get his chances and play many matches for India in all the three formats of the game. It’s just that right now, he didn’t fit in!”Iyer’s exclusion is surprising given his impressive T20 statistics.

In his last T20I against Australia on Dec 3, 2023 in Bengaluru, he belted 53 off 37 balls to secure a six-run victory. Overall, he has amassed 1,104 runs in 51 T20Is at an average of 30.66 and a strike rate of 136.12.

In IPL 2025, Iyer scored 604 runs in 17 matches at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07, leading Punjab Kings to the final. Notably, his 87 not out off 41 balls against Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 1 in Qualifier 2, was instrumental in Punjab Kings’ chase of 204.Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar while analysing the selection on JioHotstar, criticised Iyer’s omission. “I can’t understand what reason could justify Shreyas not being a part of the 20-member squad. I’m not even talking about the final 15, but the 20 itself, which sends a clear message that he is not in the selectors’ scheme of things, at least from a T20 perspective.”Former India offie R Ashwin voiced his displeasure on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, stating, “Shreyas Iyer has solid credentials. He was out of the team, but he made you win the Champions Trophy. If you argue that Shubman Gill is in blasting form, then Shreyas is also in some fine form. Who will answer all these questions? What wrong has Shreyas done?”

Calling the omission of Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal unfair, Ashwin added, “He did brilliantly for KKR, made them win.

He was sent into the auction. He then took Punjab to the final for the first time since 2014. He overcame the short ball problem. He was hitting bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah with ease. I am extremely sad for him and Jaiswal.”Iyer’s father, Santosh Iyer, expressed his frustration while speaking to TOI. “I don’t know what else Shreyas has to do to make it to the Indian T20 team. He has been performing so well in the IPL year after year, from Delhi Capitals to Kolkata Knight Riders to Punjab Kings, and that too as a captain.

He even captained KKR to the IPL title in 2024, and led PBKS to the final this year. I’m not saying make him the Indian captain, but at least select him in the team,” he said.He continued, “However, let me tell you that even if he’s left out of the Indian team, he doesn’t show dissent on his face. He’ll just say: ‘Mera naseeb hai (it’s my luck)! You can’t do anything now.’ He’s always cool and calm. He doesn’t blame anybody. Deep inside, he must be naturally disappointed.”Former India pacer Salil Ankola, a national selector until last year, told TOI, “It’s shocking that proven performers like Iyer and Jaiswal are not there in India’s Asia Cup squad, while some others who have just come in have found a place. That Shreyas isn’t even in the reserves is baffling as he had done so well in the IPL.”Ankola also questioned the omission of Jaiswal. “He was a part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad, and now suddenly he’s been dropped from India’s T20 team.”Sunil Joshi, former India left-arm spinner and spin bowling coach of Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, also questioned the selectors’ decisions. “Looking at Iyer’s T20 performances in domestic T20 cricket and IPL, where he has led from the front, both while batting first and while chasing, he has shown the hunger to perform and lead the team from the front. Is it fair to say that he’s not a part of the scheme of things going forward? In that case, I’m sure that Ajit (Agarkar) would’ve communicated to him.

If at all we are looking at T20 performances, where does pacer Prasidh Krishna’s performance—he was the Purple Cap holder of IPL 2025 (25 wickets in 15 matches for GT)—stand?”Iyer, who had expected selection for the Asia Cup, was diligently training for white-ball cricket at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s ground in BKC. Despite his efforts, the batter’s consistent exclusion raises questions about his standing within Indian cricket’s decisionmaking circles.