The exclusion of Shreyas Iyer from India's Asia Cup 2025 squad has sparked considerable debate, with Ravichandran Ashwin voicing strong disagreement with the decision and questioning the rationale behind it. Ashwin specifically called out Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, for being "unfair" to Iyer, emphasizing the player's recent performances and contributions to the team.
Ashwin's criticism centers on Iyer's impressive form, particularly his role in India's Champions Trophy 2025 victory. He argues that Iyer has consistently delivered and questions what more the batsman could have done to warrant a place in the Asia Cup squad. Iyer also captained Punjab Kings to their first IPL final since 2014 and scored over 600 runs in the 2025 IPL season.
The selection committee's decision to leave Iyer out of both the main squad and the reserve list has raised eyebrows. The five-man reserve list includes Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, and Washington Sundar, further fueling the debate over Iyer's omission.
Ashwin has proposed an alternative squad composition, suggesting that Iyer should be included in place of Shivam Dube. He যুক্তি argues that Iyer is a better fit for the No. 3 role, with Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma able to adjust their batting positions as needed. Ashwin believes that Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel are the preferred choices for the all-rounder positions, leaving Dube as a potential backup option.
Ajit Agarkar addressed Iyer's exclusion by stating, "Who can he replace? It's no fault of his, nor is it ours. At the moment he will have to wait for his chance". He also noted the difficult decisions the selection committee faced, stating that the choice to include Abhishek Sharma, who can bowl, meant that someone like Yashasvi Jaiswal would unfortunately miss out. Agarkar highlighted the competition for places in the squad, where even a player with Iyer's record and versatility couldn't secure a spot.
The Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement has significant implications for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup, according to Agarkar and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. The selected players will likely form the core of the team for the World Cup, making the selection process all the more crucial. India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE on September 10, followed by a highly anticipated match against Pakistan on September 14. The final is scheduled for September 28.
