Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad has been one of the biggest talking points since the 15-member squad was announced on Tuesday (August 19).

While explaining the decision, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar highlighted the difficulties of picking a T20I squad from a large skill pool. He asked whose expense Iyer could be included in the final 15.

“With regards to Shreyas, not his fault, nor is it ours. It’s just that you can pick 15 and at the moment you’ll have to wait for his chance,” Agarkar told reporters.

However, the contentious point was that Shreyas Iyer wasn’t even considered in the reserves for the continental showpiece.

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.

Like a lot of fans and experts, former South African captain AB de Villiers was also left baffled by Shreyas Iyer’s non-selection. He felt there is no cricketing reason for leaving Iyer out of the side.

However, de Villiers was quick to mention that something is going on behind the scenes, and potentially, that might be the reason PBKS captain finds it difficult to make the team.

“It is tough, guys. I was just going through the squad. I was thinking, where can we fit Shreyas in, because I've seen all the headlines and some fans being upset. I think Shreyas will be the most upset because he's played some really good cricket over the last few years. He's matured a lot. He showed a lot of leadership qualities, but who knows what is going on behind closed doors? No one. Not me. Not you guys,” de Villiers said during a live chat on X (formerly Twitter).

“Maybe not even Shreyas knows. But there might be a few things that have taken place over the years that have determined why it's not the flavour of the month for a certain tournament. He's a quality player. He'll be in my team more often than not. But sometimes, and I'm not talking about Shreyas now, but sometimes thinking about when I was captaining, if there's a 50-50 call between two players, I would always lean towards the guy that I feel offers more from a team perspective off the field,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that Shreyas Iyer was sacked from the central contracts list after he failed to turn up for Mumbai in domestic cricket last season. While Iyer was included in the list earlier this year, he continues to remain on the sidelines when it comes to Tests and T20Is.

AB de Villiers feels that the truth will eventually come out one day. “When it's 50-50 on the field, you have to start looking at other areas, like does he add value in the team room? Does he have a smile on his face? Does he uplift some of the other players around him? Or is he sort of draining energy from the squad? Maybe it's got something to do with that. I'm just honestly taking a complete guess. Of course, it is weird to me, a quality player like that, not making the starting squad for Team India, especially with the leadership qualities he's bringing. Maybe it will be too much of a clash with him there,” he remarked.

The Proteas legend also wondered whether Shreyas Iyer's inclusion in the squad would lead to some differences in the dressing room, considering his proven leadership credentials.

“Maybe there are too many leaders there, too many captains. I have no idea, to be honest. I was just trying to explain to you what I would think. If there's a 50-50 call, you would always lean towards the guy that you feel will bring the best out in other players,” said de Villiers.

“So, a team player kind of call. That's my best guess. I'm not saying it's true. Make up your own mind. Actually, ask more questions about it and let me know what you think. Maybe the truth will come out one day, and we'll know exactly why Shreyas is struggling to get into Team India, starting line-ups or squads at least,” he concluded.