'I cannot think of a reason for...' - Former India coach unhappy with exclusion of Shreyas Iyer from Asia Cup 2025 squad

The Indian selectors, alongside skipper Suryakumar Yadav, announced the squad for the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to begin on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates. The meeting, originally set for 1 pm in Mumbai, was delayed due to bad weather, but Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar later addressed the media in a joint press conference. Suryakumar will captain the team, while Shubman Gill has been appointed vice-captain. The announcement carried a few surprises, sparking debate among fans. Yashasvi Jaiswal, despite his promising performances, was left out of the 15-member squad, with Agarkar hinting that Abhishek Sharma is likely to open the innings alongside either Samson or Gill.

However, the biggest talking point was the shock exclusion of Shreyas Iyer, which left many fans and experts questioning the decision. Iyer, who has been a consistent performer and recently led Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final, was widely expected to feature in the squad. Agarkar acknowledged that Iyer had “not done anything wrong” but explained that it was difficult to find a replacement for him without disrupting the balance of the squad. Still, the decision has not gone down well with several former cricketers, including Abhishek Nayar, who openly voiced his disappointment.

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“I cannot fathom Shreyas Iyer not being in that squad. If you say that he is that good a player, why is he not even in the reserves? Selection meetings can be quite interesting. I cannot think of a reason for Shreyas Iyer not being there in the 20-member squad. This sends a message to Shreyas Iyer that he is not in the scheme of things”, said Abhishek Nayar on the exclusion of Iyer.

Why Shreyas Iyer was dropped from Indian squad for Asia Cup 2025

When asked about Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion, chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified that the Punjab Kings skipper had done nothing wrong to be left out, acknowledging his strong numbers in T20 cricket. Agarkar explained that India’s batting order is already stacked, with the likes of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma all competing for the top four spots. Including Iyer, he added, would only disrupt the balance of the side. While questions were raised about Gill’s inclusion as vice-captain, skipper Suryakumar Yadav dismissed the doubts during the press conference. Despite not featuring in T20Is since 2023, Iyer showcased his quality in the IPL, lifting the trophy with KKR in 2024 and guiding PBKS to the final in 2025.

India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad looks well-rounded, with a mix of youth and experience. Jasprit Bumrah has been named to spearhead the pace attack, though he may not feature in all matches. Supporting him are Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, with all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube providing additional seam options. Given the UAE conditions, selectors opted for a spin-heavy approach to strengthen the bowling attack. For wicketkeeping duties, Jitesh Sharma joins Sanju Samson, ensuring depth in the batting order. The squad reflects India’s strategy of balancing proven match-winners with emerging talents, even though Iyer’s absence remains a hot talking point.