With the selection of Shubman Gill as skipper for the forthcoming five-match series in England, the Indian Test squad has now entered its eagerly awaited transition phase. Rishabh Pant, a batsman and wicketkeeper, has been named vice-captain. Karun Nair, who hasn't played for his country in eight years, is also in the squad.
The absence of Shreyas Iyer was one of the most prominent exclusions from the England tour. Iyer, who had played 14 Tests for India, scoring 811 runs with one century and 5 fifties, last played for India in whites against England at home.
He suffered from a back problem and was replaced in middle of the series. He lost his place in India’s ODI and T20I side as well, while losing his central contract for disobeying BCCI’s diktat of playing domestic cricket.
Iyer, however, made a triumphant return to Indian ODI side against England earlier this year and played a huge role in India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 win. Right now Iyer is captaining Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, who have qualified for the playoffs by topping the points charts with 19 points in 14 matches.
The decision was justified by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who stated: "Shreyas had a good one-day series, played well in domestic as well, but right now there's no room in Test cricket."
Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of India, spoke about Iyer's exclusion for the first time on Wednesday.
"Mai selector nahi hun (I am not a selector)," was Gambhir’s sharp retort to a journalist asking about Iyer’s omission from the squad.
Here is the video:
Reporter:- "Why was Shreyas Iyer not selected for the England tour?"
— A// (@AdityaGurjar76) May 28, 2025
Gautam Gambhir:- "I am not the selector"
For your information, Gambhir was the first coach in Indian cricket history who sat in the selection meeting,And now he is saying that I am not the selector pic.twitter.com/V74yfW7jGk
