How is he not even in reserves?: Ex-India coach slams selectors for ignoring Shreyas Iyer in Asia Cup 2025 squad
A former India coach has slammed the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel and the Indian team management for snubbing Shreyas Iyer from India's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.
Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar was left surprised by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel's decision to leave Shreyas Iyer out of India's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Iyer failed to make the cut despite finishing as the highest run-getter for India in the Champions Trophy 2025 and enjoying a stellar season for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Questioning the selection process, Nayar, who was part of head coach Gautam Gambhir's coaching staff for Team India, wondered how Iyer was not even kept in reserves for the Asia Cup 2025. Iyer's exclusion has left many surprised. The 30-year-old has been one of the most consistent performers with the bat in the IPL over the last two seasons.
He led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL title in 2024, before leading Punjab Kings to the final in IPL 2025 earlier this year. Iyer led from the front for PBKS and contributed significantly with the bat to help them reach their first final in over a decade. He smashed an impressive 604 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of over 175 in IPL 2025.
"I wanted to ask that question - how is he not even in the reserves if he's such a strong contender?" Nayar said, speaking on Star Sports after India's squad announcement on Tuesday.
"Sometimes, selection meetings can be quite interesting, and the discussions even more so. But I genuinely can't understand what justification there could be for not including Shreyas Iyer in a 20-member squad," he added.
Iyer last played a T20I for India in December 2023. He scored a half-century in his last T20I appearance, which came against Australia. The star batter has since not been in the scheme for things for India in T20Is despite having been in strong form in both domestic and international cricket. His leadership credentials have also been ignored.
While he insisted that selection is based on a lot of criteria, Nayar suggested Iyer's exclusion could be down to personal preference. The former India assistant coach said it could be possible that Iyer is not liked as much as someone else in the current Asia Cup 2025 squad.
"Any selection, after a while, comes down to who you prefer a little more than the other. In that regard, maybe Shreyas Iyer is not liked as much as someone else. Maybe," he said.
What did Ajit Agarkar say about Shreyas Iyer's exclusion?
Speaking in the press conference after the squad announcement at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Tuesday, chief selector Agarkar explained the decision to leave Iyer out of the 15-man squad. Agarkar said Iyer's exclusion was not due to any fault of his own or the selectors, stating that there is no place for him in the team at present.
"With regards to Shreyas, there's no fault of his - nor is it ours. We can only pick 15, and at the moment, he might have to wait for his chance," said Agarkar.
There was only one major change in the batting line-up in India's squad for the Asia Cup 2025 as Shubman Gill made his comeback after enjoying a terrific campaign in the recently concluded Test series against England. Gill was also named vice-captain of the T20I team, replacing Axar Patel. However, it remains to be seen where will Gill bat in the Asia Cup 2025, considering India have a settled top 4.