'Bat at number 3..."- Ravichandran Ashwin votes for star India player's T20I comeback in Asia Cup 2025

The former Indian off-spin all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin, has opined that Shreyas Iyer should return into T20I side of the Blue Brigade before the upcoming 2025 season of the Asia Cup. The Mumbai batter led the Punjab King to the runners-up of the IPL 2025 after becoming the champions of the 2024 season with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

The 30-year-old smashed 604 runs during the 2025 edition of the IPL in 17 innings at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07, shouldering on six half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 97 runs. He has overall smacked 1104 runs in 47 T20I innings with eight fifties, as Ashwin desired to see the right-handed batter back into the squad for Asia Cup 2025. 

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“If you look at it very logically, there is nothing much to talk about. The team almost picks itself, but if there can be some surprise, I'm genuinely speaking, I've said this before as well, I think Shreyas Iyer deserves to be in that side. But even if Shreyas Iyer makes the cut, it would be a bit of a surprise because every guy who played in the T20 has performed.” Ashwin expressed during a recent video on his YouTube channel.

Ravichandran Ashwin picks Shreyas Iyer to bat at three for Asia Cup 2025

The last T20I clash for Shreyas came in December 2023 when he faced Australia in Bengaluru. Iyer has crossed the 350-run mark since the 2022 season of the IPL. In 132 innings of the IPL, the veteran has bagged overall 3731 runs at an average of 34.22 and a strike rate of 133.34 with 27 fifties.

“And one must remember that not very long ago, he batted brilliantly in the Champions Trophy, but of course a different format, but let us not forget his familiarity with those conditions. So, there is so much familiarity, form and momentum that everyone has spoken about him. To leave out Shreyas Iyer from the squad is very difficult.” Ashwin addressed on the video.

“Shivam Dube was also part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad. So, he also has to be given continuity. Shreyas Iyer/Shivam Dube/Rinku Singh will be the biggest debate of the selection committee.” The Chennai-born debated in the video.