On Tuesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 to be held in the UAE. One of the biggest talking points was the absence of Shreyas Iyer in the squad. The middle-order batter went from sensational form across formats and a blockbuster IPL 2025 season with Punjab Kings to being omitted from the Asian championship squad.

Ignoring Iyer’s T20 Record

The decision surprised many, given Iyer's numbers in T20. The stylish batter had over 600 runs in IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 175.07, which is the third-best strike rate in a 600+ run IPL season, with only Chris Gayle (2011) and Suryakumar Yadav (2023) possessing a higher strike rate. Iyer has been one of the most desirable middle-order players in T20 cricket, dominating spin and controlling the middle overs.

Iyer's excellence is deeper than just IPL performances, as he has enjoyed a sensational run in both domestic and franchise cricket. He captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the 2024 IPL title; he led Mumbai to a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title; he captained SoBo Mumbai Falcons to the final of the Mumbai T20 League; earlier in the year, he made telling contributions towards India's Champions Trophy win as well.

Selectors Back Current XI

Explaining Iyer's exit, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar said it was not a form issue, it was about balance. “All of the players who have had an opportunity in this playing XI have been good players in the past,” Agarkar said, emphasizing once again that this was not a question of Iyer's abilities.

The Suryakumar Yadav-led India Asia Cup squad also has Shubman Gill as vice-captain. Most notably returning are Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav after one year away, with Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and Sanju Samson also included.

ALSO SEE: Prithvi Shaw celebrates century in maiden innings for Maharashtra during ongoing Buchi Babu Trophy 2025

India Squad for Asia Cup 2025

Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

Standby Players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel.

Looking Forward

While Iyer may sense a degree of injustice, selectors appear to have chosen consistency with a group that has performed consistently for over a year. The Asia Cup is taking the place of the 2026 T20 World Cup, and the middle-order saga is far from over. Iyer will remain in the selection discussion, likely moving forward.