The exclusion of Shreyas Iyer from India's Test squad for the upcoming series against England has sparked considerable debate and raised questions about the direction of the national team's transition following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach, found himself at the center of this discussion, offering what some perceive as a "brutally honest" assessment of the situation.
Following the squad announcement, Gambhir initially deflected questions regarding Iyer's omission, stating plainly, "I am not a selector." This response was interpreted by some as an indirect critique of the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar. Agarkar had previously explained Iyer's exclusion by saying that while Iyer had performed well in other formats and domestic cricket, there was simply "no room" for him in the Test side at the moment.
However, Gambhir later appeared to soften his stance, suggesting that Iyer, or any player in good form, could still earn a call-up. "Anyone can be called if they are in good form," Gambhir stated, adding, "We can only pick 18. But I believe it's always about being open to people who are in good form and can deliver." This apparent change in tone has led to speculation about Gambhir's true feelings on the matter and whether he believes Iyer was unfairly overlooked.
Iyer's recent form has undoubtedly been impressive. He led Punjab Kings to the final of the IPL 2025 season, scoring over 600 runs at an average exceeding 50. He has also been a consistent performer for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. Despite this, the selectors opted for a mix of experience and fresh talent, including Karun Nair, who returns to the Test squad after eight years, along with B. Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh.
Sourav Ganguly has openly criticized Iyer's omission, stating that he "deserved a spot" and that his form over the past year has been outstanding. Ganguly specifically pointed to Iyer's improved technique against short-pitched bowling, a known area of weakness in the past.
The decision to exclude Iyer also underscores the larger issue of India's transition in the Test arena. With Kohli and Rohit now retired, and Shubman Gill taking over the captaincy, the team is undeniably entering a new era. Ricky Ponting has commented on this transition, acknowledging the difficulty of replacing players of Kohli and Rohit's stature but expressing confidence in India's talent pool. He noted that while replacing the skill of those players is possible, the experience they brought to the team will be missed.
The squad selection reflects a focus on youth and rewarding domestic performance, but also raises concerns about the balance of experience and the message it sends to players like Iyer who have performed well across formats. Ultimately, the success of this transition will depend on the ability of the new captain and the team management to create a cohesive unit and nurture the emerging talent while ensuring that deserving players are given opportunities to prove themselves. The England tour will be a crucial test of India's depth and resilience as they embark on this new chapter.
