Why does Panesar think Shreyas Iyer’s leadership qualities have counted against him: ‘Someone younger…would be easier to manage for coach Gautam Gambhir’

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Iyer Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer. (FILE photo)

Shreyas Iyer has been omitted from the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. The Punjab Kings skipper led the side to the final in the Indian Premier League earlier this year. However, former England cricketer Monty Panesar thinks that his excelling as captain might have counted against him, as India already has candidates who can play that role, and instead of Iyer, India can allow a younger player who would be “easier” to manage for Gautam Gambhir.

“One of the reasons Shreyas Iyer is probably struggling to get into the Indian squad is because he brings those leadership skills and, at the moment, possibly they’ve got that covered. It gives them an opportunity to bring in someone younger, a bit more exciting to play, who would be easier to manage for coach Gautam Gambhir. So I think he being the captain in IPL, makes it a bit difficult for him to get into that team,” said Panesar on India Today.

“But I do believe, if he keeps scoring runs, he should be playing. But it’s just the talent, the talent is unbelievable. I think India has never been so blessed and lucky that they can pull out probably 2 to 3 teams right now and compete against the world,” he added.

“It’s unfortunate that Shreyas Iyer misses out. It’s no fault of his, neither ours. He has to wait for his chance,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar said. “We have got some serious options in T20 squad…sometimes not the easiest squad to pick but good headache to have,” he added. Along with the main squad of 15, the selectors also named 5 players as standbys but Iyer’s name wasn’t in that list as well.

However, Agarkar said that this was not the final team for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.

Iyer walloped over 600 runs for the first time in an IPL season in 2025, with his 175.07 strike rate ranking the best among all batters. He also clobbered 39 sixes as Punjab finished runners-up under his leadership. For India in 51 T20Is, the Mumbaikar has recorded 1104 runs, averaging 30.66.

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