Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad has left former selector Salil Ankola expressing disbelief, calling it “surprising and shocking” given the Mumbai batter’s recent form.
Despite a stellar IPL 2025 season, where Iyer scored 604 runs in 17 innings at an average of 50.33 with a strike rate of 175.07, guiding Punjab Kings to the final, he was not included in the 15-member squad or even the list of reserves. Ankola was particularly perplexed that other players with less experience made the cut.
“It’s surprising and shocking that proven performers like Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal are not in India’s Asia Cup squad while others who have just come in have found a place. I’m baffled that Shreyas hasn’t been picked even in the five-man list of reserves despite doing well in the IPL this year,” Ankola told Mumbai Mirror.
India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified that Iyer’s omission was not due to any fault of his own but emphasized that only 15 players could be picked.
“It’s not his fault, nor ours — it’s just that only 15 can be picked, and at the moment, he has to wait for his chances,” Agarkar said.
Iyer’s exclusion is particularly surprising given his recent domestic performances, including helping Mumbai clinch the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, alongside his IPL exploits. He also returned to BCCI’s annual retainership after contributing to India’s Champions Trophy 2025 triumph.
The 29-year-old has represented India in 51 T20Is, scoring 1104 runs at an average of 30.66, including eight fifties. Many cricket experts and fans feel he deserved at least a place in the reserves.
India’s Asia Cup 2025 Squad
Main Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
Standby Players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel
While selection debates are common in cricket, Iyer’s omission has sparked fresh discussions among fans, analysts, and former cricketers alike, highlighting the tough choices selectors face ahead of one of Asia’s most high-profile T20 tournaments.
