Sad and unfair: Ashwin slams Shreyas Iyer’s omission from Asia Cup 2025 squad

Former cricketer R. Ashwin questioned Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exclusion from India’s Asia Cup squad and termed their absence as ‘sad and unfair’.

“Selection is a thankless job. You have to let someone out. When you talk to them, you have to go through that sadness and disappointment in their faces. I hope, someone has talked to Shreyas and Jaiswal,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin highlighted Shreyas’ recent run in the Indian Premier League, when he led the Punjab Kings to its first final since 2014.

“What Shreyas has done wrong… he did brilliantly well for KKR, made them win. He was sent into the auction. He then took Punjab to the finals for the first time since 2014. He overcame the short ball problem. He was hitting the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah with ease in the IPL. I am just extremely sad for him and Yashasvi Jaiswal; it is extremely unfair,” he said.

Shreyas last played in the T20 format for India in December 2023. He was dropped from all three formats after he was not included in the list of centrally contracted players. However, he made his comeback in the One-Dayers during the ICC Champions Trophy and was included subsequently in the player retainership.

READ: India squad for Asia Cup 2025: Shubman Gill named vice-captain; Bumrah included

“Look at the credentials of Shreyas. He went out of the team. But came in the Champions Trophy and did amazing batting. He won and gave it to you,” Ashwin said.

Notably, Shubman Gill, who was only in the standbys during the T20 World Cup 2024, made it to the 15-member team announced on Tuesday, as its vice-captain, after his prolific run in the Test series against England.

“If the answer is that Shubman Gill is in blasting form, Shreyas is also in high-quality form. Jaiswal’s innings on a tricky pitch in the last game in the Oval… he is also in cracking form. So, how can you give an answer for this?

“When you have Jaiswal as your third opener, you have brought Shubman Gill in the team by removing a person from the World Cup winning squad. I mean, I am happy for Shubman but I am very, very sad for both Shreyas and Jaiswal. It’s just not fair on both,” Ashwin said.