Shreyas Iyer was excluded from Asia Cup squad despite taking PBKS in IPL 2025 final.
Santosh Iyer termed his son’s exclusion "sad" and "unfair" and also revealed his son’s response after the snub. Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024 and Punjab Kings to the final in 2025, was excluded from the 15-member squad that was announced on August 19.
“I don’t know what else Shreyas has to do to make it to the Indian T20 team. He has been performing so well in the IPL year after year, from Delhi Capitals to Kolkata Knight Riders to Punjab Kings, and that too as a captain. He even captained KKR to the IPL title in 2024 and led PBKS to the final this year. I’m not saying make him the Indian captain, but at least select him in the team,” Santosh Iyer told The Times of India.
“However, let me tell you that even if he’s left out of the Indian team, he doesn’t show dissent on his face. He’ll just say, “mera naseeb hai (it’s my luck)! You can’t do anything now.’ He’s always cool and calm. He doesn’t blame anybody. Deep inside, he must be naturally disappointed,” Santosh Iyer recalled Shreyas’ reaction to the snub.
Iyer, who has played 51 T20Is for India, has scored 1104 runs at an average of 30.66 and a strike rate of 136.12. He last played a T20I for India in December 2023 and missed the 2024 season after suffering a back injury and being punished by the BCCI for refusing to play domestic cricket.
Iyer then made his India comeback in the England white-ball series at home in 2025 and was part of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 winning squad, making important contributions in India’s win.
(Times of India inputs)