Sourav Ganguly has publicly expressed his disagreement with the BCCI's team selection for the upcoming Test series against England, specifically regarding the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer. Ganguly, a former captain of the Indian cricket team and a past president of the BCCI, believes that Iyer's current form across all formats of the game warrants his inclusion in the Test squad.
Ganguly's criticism comes in the wake of the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee's decision to leave Iyer out of the squad for the five-match Test series. This decision has raised eyebrows among cricket enthusiasts and experts, considering Iyer's recent performances. While Iyer was a part of the Indian middle-order during their last tour of England, his struggles against short-pitched deliveries led to his exclusion from the Test side.
However, Iyer has since made a strong comeback, proving his mettle in the ODI format. He emerged as one of India's top run-scorers in both the 2023 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure on the international stage. Furthermore, Iyer has been in excellent form in domestic cricket, consistently scoring runs for Mumbai across all formats. His leadership skills have also shone through, as he captained the Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL victory in 2024 and led the Punjab Kings to their first IPL final in 11 years in the 2025 season. In the IPL 2025, Iyer amassed 604 runs in 17 matches, boasting an impressive strike rate of 175, the highest among the top run-scorers.
Despite these accomplishments, the selection committee did not include Iyer in the Test squad, reportedly without much deliberation. This decision has baffled Ganguly, who has been a strong advocate for Iyer's talent and potential. Ganguly argues that Iyer is not the same player who was dropped from the Test side previously. He believes that Iyer has evolved and improved his game significantly, demonstrating his ability to handle pressure, take responsibility, and play the short ball effectively.
"He has been playing at his best in the last one year, and should have been in this team," Ganguly stated, emphasizing Iyer's consistent performance and positive contributions to the team. While acknowledging that Test cricket presents different challenges, Ganguly believes that Iyer deserves an opportunity to prove himself in the Test arena and showcase his abilities in the upcoming series against England.
Ganguly's support for Iyer extends beyond his recent form. He has closely observed Iyer's progress, particularly during his tenure as the Director of Cricket at the Delhi Capitals. This close observation has further solidified Ganguly's belief in Iyer's potential to succeed in Test cricket.
In light of Iyer's exclusion, Ganguly's remarks carry weight, given his extensive experience as a captain, player, and administrator. His public disagreement with the team selection highlights the ongoing debate surrounding Iyer's place in the Indian Test side and raises questions about the criteria used for selecting players for the upcoming series against England. As the Test series approaches, it remains to be seen whether Iyer will be given an opportunity to prove his worth and silence his critics.
