The return of Shubman Gill to India's T20I squad for the 2025 Asia Cup has pleased former Indian spinner R Ashwin, but he stated that he was "very, very sad" for Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Despite their impressive performances in the T20Is they have played thus far and their dominance in the IPL 2025, Jaiswal and Iyer were not selected for India's 15-man squad.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel on Tuesday, Ashwin responded to the news of Gill's comeback and Iyer and Jaiswal's snub by calling Iyer's decision "sad" and "unfair" and questioning the reasoning for neglecting Jaiswal.
“Selection is a thankless job. You have to let someone out. When you talk to them, you have to go through that sadness and disappointment in their faces. I hope someone has talked to Shreyas and Jaiswal. When you have Jaiswal as your third opener, you have brought Shubman Gill into the team by removing a person from the World Cup-winning squad. I mean, I am happy for Shubman, but I am very, very sad for both Shreyas and Jaiswal. It’s just not fair on both," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Highlighting Iyer’s track record, Ashwin said, “Look at the credentials of Shreyas Iyer. He went out of the team. But he came in the Champions Trophy and did amazing batting. He won and gave it to you.
If the answer is that Shubman Gill is in blasting form, Shreyas Iyer is also in high-quality form. Jaiswal’s innings on a tricky pitch in the last game at the Oval… he is also in cracking form. So, how can you give an answer for this?"
“What Shreyas has done wrong… he did brilliantly well for KKR, made them win. He was sent into the auction. He then took Punjab to the finals for the first time since 2014. He overcame the short ball problem. He was hitting the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah with ease in the IPL. I am just extremely sad for him and Yashasvi Jaiswal; it is extremely unfair," he added.
Shreyas Iyer had made 604 runs for Punjab Kings in 17 matches in IPL 2025, while Yashasvi Jaiswal hammered 559 runs in 14 games for Rajasthan Royals.
