The exclusion of Shreyas Iyer from India's Asia Cup 2025 squad has ignited a major controversy, with former cricketers and fans questioning the decision. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member squad for the tournament, which will be held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with Suryakumar Yadav named as captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain. While some players like Jasprit Bumrah made a comeback, the omission of Iyer, despite his recent form, has become a major talking point.
Several prominent voices in the cricket fraternity have expressed their surprise and disappointment at Iyer's exclusion. Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin called it a "big surprise," while veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin labeled the decision "sad and unfair". Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar questioned whether Iyer was even in the top 20 players considered for the Asia Cup, suggesting a lack of clarity in team planning. Dinesh Karthik also voiced his disapproval, deeming it "a tad bit unfair" and questioning why Iyer wasn't included even among the reserves.
Iyer's recent performances have further fueled the debate surrounding his exclusion. In the IPL 2025, he amassed 604 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 170.07, leading Punjab Kings to the final. Former cricketers like Sadagoppan Ramesh have criticized Gautam Gambhir, alleging that he favors certain players while disregarding others. Kris Srikkanth, another former BCCI selector, also slammed Ajit Agarkar's selection process, terming it "nonsense" and questioning the logic behind leaving out an in-form batter like Iyer.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar defended the decision by stating that it was difficult to fit Iyer into the side without dropping someone else. He acknowledged that it was not Iyer's fault, but emphasized the limitations of selecting only 15 players. However, this explanation has not satisfied critics, who argue that Iyer's recent form and experience should have warranted a place in the squad. Some experts have suggested that Iyer could have been included in place of players like Rinku Singh, whose recent performances have been modest.
The controversy has also extended to social media, with fans expressing their outrage and accusing the BCCI of "dirty politics". Some have linked Iyer's exclusion to internal politics within the BCCI, while others have questioned the selectors' judgment. Manoj Tiwary, a former cricketer, has even called for live streaming of selection meetings to improve transparency and allow fans to understand the decision-making process.
While the selectors have emphasized the need to balance the squad and provide opportunities to other players, the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer has undoubtedly raised questions about the selection process and the criteria used to evaluate players. Whether this decision will have a long-term impact on Iyer's career remains to be seen, but it has certainly sparked a debate about fairness, transparency, and the role of form and experience in team selection.
