The absence of Shreyas Iyer from the India squad for the Asia Cup 2025 has stirred widespread discussion within cricketing circles. Despite leading Punjab Kings to their inaugural IPL final in over a decade and standing out as India’s top run-getter in the Champions Trophy 2025, the 30-year-old finds himself excluded — a choice that has puzzled followers and specialists alike.
Shreyas Iyer’s father voiced his anguish over son’s absence in India’s Asia Cup squad
Shreyas’s father, Santosh Iyer, expressed his disappointment in a straightforward discussion with Times of India, questioning the rationale behind the selection choice.
“I struggle to understand what more Shreyas needs to accomplish to secure a spot in the Indian T20 team,” he expressed.
“He has consistently performed well in the IPL across the years, from his time with Delhi Capitals to Kolkata Knight Riders to Punjab Kings, and notably as a captain,” Santosh mentioned.
Data supports this assertion. In IPL 2025, Shreyas accumulated 604 runs, maintaining an average of 50.33 and an impressive strike rate of 175.07, achieving six half-centuries while guiding PBKS to the final. Prior to that, he had captained Kolkata Knight Riders to victory in the IPL 2024. Despite this, selectors not only left him out of the 15-member team but also omitted him from the reserve list.
Santosh’s concern was evident as he added, “I’m not suggesting he be made the Indian captain, but he should at least be chosen for the team.” His remarks mirror the sentiments of numerous fans and former players, with former assistant coach Abhishek Nayar suggesting that personal biases may sometimes influence team selections.
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“He doesn’t blame anybody”: Santosh on his son’s approach in life
In the midst of the debate, Shreyas has demonstrated remarkable composure. According to his father, the batsman avoids engaging in accusations or emotional reactions.
“Even when he is excluded from the Indian team, he doesn’t express disagreement. He typically says, ‘Mera naseeb hai (it’s my fate). There’s nothing to be done.’ He remains consistently composed. He never blames others,” Santosh disclosed.
This calm acceptance underscores Shreyas’s mental toughness, though his father acknowledged that the disappointment must be substantial. His calmness, however, has enhanced his respect among fans, who view his dignified reaction as indicative of his personality.
The exclusion seems even more controversial when considering his recent performance. Shreyas led India’s batting statistics in the Champions Trophy 2025, accumulating 243 runs in five innings and concluding as the tournament’s second-highest scorer. He has also captained Mumbai to success in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, further demonstrating his reliability across different match formats.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar defended the decision, stating, “Regarding Shreyas, there are no shortcomings on his part or ours. It’s simply that we are limited to selecting only 15 players, and currently, he may need to await his turn.” Meanwhile, cricket commentators such as Aakash Chopra remain optimistic, forecasting that Iyer will return in time for the T20 World Cup, noting that there are still 15 T20Is scheduled before the major event.
Presently, Shreyas’s exclusion is regarded as one of the most contentious selection decisions in recent times. His father’s concern and his own dignified response add depth to a narrative that emphasizes the unpredictable nature of Indian cricket team selections and the resilience necessary to navigate them.
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