Why Shreyas Iyer is Not in the Asia Cup?
Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from India's Asia Cup 2025 squad has left fans, critics, and cricket enthusiasts scratching their heads. A player who has been one of the most consistent performers for India, especially in T20 cricket, suddenly finds himself out of the reckoning for a prestigious tournament like the Asia Cup.
Despite his sensational performances in the IPL and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Shreyas's omission has sparked a fierce debate, leading to questions about his future in India’s limited-overs setup.
A Stellar IPL Campaign, But Still No Spot
In the 2025 IPL, Shreyas Iyer was in red-hot form. Leading Punjab Kings to the final for the first time in 11 years, Iyer accumulated 604 runs at a blistering strike rate of 175.07, proving himself to be one of the most valuable assets in the shortest format of the game.
His consistency in the Indian Premier League was matched by his dominance in domestic cricket, where he accumulated 349 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, maintaining an explosive strike rate of 188.
Yet, despite these incredible numbers, Iyer was a glaring omission from India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025. Even more surprising was the fact that he wasn’t included in the five standbys either, which sent shockwaves through the cricketing community.
@Cricketracker highlighted that despite a stellar year for Shreyas Iyer, he has not been included in the Asia Cup 2025 squad. The decision has sparked debate, leaving many to question whether it is fair or unfair.
What Could Be The Reason for His Exclusion?
Ajit Agarkar, India’s chief selector, addressed the media after announcing the squad, emphasizing that the exclusion wasn’t because of any fault on Iyer’s part. Instead, he clarified that the selection was based on limited spots.
@cricbuzz reported that Shreyas Iyer has been excluded from the Asia Cup squad. Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar revealed the reasons behind his omission, shedding light on the decision.
"You can only pick 15, and at the moment, he’ll have to wait for his chance," Agarkar said. However, this logic doesn’t seem to satisfy many fans, who are questioning why such a dynamic performer was left out, especially when the competition for spots in the middle-order is fierce.
Players like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel were already confirmed for the middle order, but the real contest was for the No. 3 position.
Iyer seemed to be a front-runner given his impressive IPL form, but Tilak Varma, despite a modest IPL season, was chosen ahead of him. Varma, who had a brilliant South Africa tour, is seen as a potential long-term fixture in the squad, but his IPL performances didn’t quite stack up to Iyer’s explosive run-scoring ability.
@circleofcricket reported that former India assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar, suggested that Shreyas Iyer's omission from the Asia Cup squad could be due to a lack of favor from the selection committee. Nayar implied that Iyer might not be as favored as some of his peers.
The Unseen Dynamics Behind Selection
Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar’s comments have sparked a conversation around the subtle, yet significant factors that can influence player selection.
"Maybe Shreyas Iyer is not liked as much as someone else," Nayar stated, hinting that selection decisions can sometimes be based on factors beyond just raw performance. His remarks quickly gained attention on social media, with fans speculating that there could be more to Iyer’s exclusion than meets the eye.
Iyer’s past interactions with the team management have been well documented, and it’s possible these factors might have played a role in how he was perceived during the selection process. This raises valid questions about whether these underlying factors may have influenced the final decision.
Shreyas Iyer’s Future: Waiting for a Chance?
BCCI selectors have stated that Iyer’s omission doesn’t reflect any fault of his, but simply a result of having to pick only 15 players for the squad. However, many fans are not buying this explanation.
One fan took to social media, saying, "He will get his chance, he will get his chance. When? After he retires?" The frustration is palpable, especially when Iyer’s performances have been at a high level consistently.
For now, Iyer will have to bide his time and wait for his opportunity. But with his exclusion from even the standby list, it’s unclear when he’ll get that shot. His T20I future, despite being one of the best batters in recent seasons, appears uncertain.
What Does This Mean for Team India?
India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 is strong, but the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer raises several questions. With the Asia Cup serving as a crucial buildup to the 2025 World Cup, Iyer’s exclusion could have serious implications for India’s middle-order strength.
The competition is fierce, and it seems that only a few can make the cut. However, Iyer’s omission is not just about cricketing performances; it’s a statement that reflects deeper dynamics in Indian cricket.
Will Iyer make a comeback? Only time will tell. But for now, it’s clear that this exclusion has left a lot of unanswered questions, and the story of Shreyas Iyer's future in India’s T20 squad is far from over.
