Last Updated:
Shreyas Iyer missed out on a spot in India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 despite an impressive IPL 2025.
Shreyas Iyer last played a T20I in December 2023. (PTI Photo)
Shreyas Iyer’s omission from India’s 15-man T20I squad for the next month’s Asia Cup continues to invite diverse explanations. From the chief of selector Ajit Agarkar wondering whom Iyer can replace in India’s current T20I setup to a few former players alleging favouritism, the arguments continue to flow thick and fast.
Iyer has been in rich vein of form in white-ball cricket having played a key role in India’s triumph in the Champions Trophy earlier this year before starring with the bat for Punjab Kings, a franchise he also captains, as it made it to the IPL 2025 final.
Iyer had his best IPL season with the bat, as he scored over 600 runs at a strike-rate of 175.07. He struck six half-centuries including a best of 97 not out. Despite the returns, he couldn’t find a place in the squad led by Suryakumar Yadav.
Captaincy Hampering Iyer’s T20I Chances?
Now, former England spinner Monty Panesar has suggested that Iyer’s leadership skills could be one of the reasons why the Indian team management isn’t considering him for T20Is. He explains that it’s an area that India have got covered for now and hence, they want to invest in someone younger whom head coach Gautam Gambhir can manage better.
“One of the reasons Shreyas Iyer is probably struggling to get into the Indian squad is because he brings those leadership skills and, at the moment, possibly they’ve got that covered. It gives them an opportunity to bring in someone younger, a bit more exciting to play, who would be easier to manage for coach Gautam Gambhir,” Panesar told India Today.
However, Panesar admits that Iyer’s form merits a place in the squad and pointed out how India can field 2-3 teams at a time given the talent at their disposal.
“So, I think he (Iyer) being the captain in IPL, makes it a bit difficult for him to get into that team. But I do believe, if he keeps scoring runs, he should be playing. But it’s just the talent, the talent is unbelievable. I think India has never been so blessed and lucky that they can pull out probably 2 to 3 teams right now and compete against the world,” Panesar said.
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital…Read More
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital… Read More
Read More
The postShreyas Iyer’s Leadership Skills Hindering His T20I Prospects? ‘Gautam Gambhir Can Manage Younger Player Better’ | Cricket News appeared first on News18