Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar expressed surprise over Shreyas Iyer's non-selection in India’s T20 squad for the Asia Cup 2025, starting on September 9 in UAE.
Iyer’s name didn’t even feature on the standby list, prompting Nayar to say that Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper might not be liked as some of the other players in the squad and hence has been snubbed altogether.
Shreyas hasn’t been in the T20 scheme of things since the beginning of 2024. However, he had strengthened his selection claims through consistent performances in the IPL over the past two editions.
The 30-year-old played a key role both as a batter and captain, leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the title win in 2024, and guiding PBKS to the final of the IPL 2025 season.
“I wanted to ask him (Agarkar) how he (Iyer) is not among the reserve players, if he is such a strong contender? Sometimes the selection meetings and the discussions that happen can be quite interesting, but I can’t fathom, I can’t understand what reason could justify Shreyas Iyer not being part of the 20-member squad. I'm not even talking about the final 15, but the 20 itself," Nayar said while speaking on Star Sports.
“It sort of tells and sends a message to Shreyas Iyer that you aren’t in our 20-man scheme of things, because even if things do not work out, you aren’t going to be in the team," he added.
“(In that case) either Riyan Parag will come or someone else. The big question here is whether they are looking at him from a T20 point of view. I always say this, selection, after a while, becomes about who you like a little more than the other. Maybe Shreyas Iyer isn’t as liked as someone else is," he continued.
The biggest talking point from the squad announcement presser was the inclusion of Test skipper Shubman Gill, who recently led India to 2-2 series draw on the tour of England.
Despite the top-order firing through Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and skipper Suryakumar Yadav himself, Gill was not only added to the squad but was named vice-captain.
Jitesh Sharma pipped Rishabh Pant for the backup wicketkeeper’s slot. Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel feature in the squad as all-rounders, while the selectors picking Rinku Singh for the finisher role.
Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy are the two premier spinners in the squad, while Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are the frontline pace bowlers.
Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal are five standby players for the continental showpiece. They won't travel with the team.
