Shreyas Iyer has rarely stayed away from the spotlight ever since he broke into the Indian setup. Be it for his stylish stroke play, the occasional off-field chatter, or the controversies that often seemed to chase him, Iyer’s name has always found a way into debates. Now, once again, he finds himself in the headlines—not for his batting, but for his exclusion from India’s Asia Cup squad, a decision that has sparked fresh discussions about his place in the team’s plans.
From IPL Glory to Asia Cup Snub: The Curious Case of Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has been making the most of every opportunity that has come his way, whether in the ODI setup or the T20 side. In the 50-over format, his place looks fairly secured, and he is even seen as a potential contender for the captaincy once the Rohit Sharma era winds down. However, his omission from the T20 squad feels rather harsh. In India, T20I selection is often weighed heavily on IPL performances, and by that measure, Iyer has done more than enough to deserve a place. Over the last two seasons, his run in the IPL has been nothing short of remarkable—both as a leader and as a batsman. Yet, despite delivering consistently on those fronts, he finds himself sidelined once again.
It often feels as though Shreyas Iyer has been underrated, or perhaps not valued as highly as his performances warrant. The reasons remain unclear, because at every level he has delivered consistently. In IPL 2024, he was the name on everyone’s lips after leading Kolkata Knight Riders to their third title. But instead of carrying that legacy forward, controversies off the field meant the winning captain couldn’t continue with KKR. What followed was staggering—Punjab Kings roped him in for a record-breaking ₹26.75 crore, making him the most expensive buy of the season.
And Shreyas Iyer more than justified that price tag. In his very first year with Punjab, he transformed the fortunes of the franchise with his sharp leadership and dependable batting. He nearly took them all the way, falling just short of lifting back-to-back IPL trophies, but his individual brilliance stood tall. Scoring 604 runs at a blistering strike rate of 175.07, Iyer carried Punjab’s batting on his shoulders. Numbers like these would usually seal a spot in the Indian T20 side for any player—but somehow, for Iyer, the door remains closed.
Shreyas Iyer’s Exclusion: A Selection Call Beyond Cricketing Logic?
Given his skills against spin, Iyer felt like the automatic choice for the Asia Cup, especially with the Dubai wickets expected to slow down as the tournament progresses. His impressive run in the Champions Trophy earlier this year at the same venue only strengthens that belief. While many pundits argue that Iyer fits more naturally into the tempo of ODIs, his batting in the IPL has shown otherwise. He has repeatedly proved that he can shift gears and strike at a healthy rate when the situation demands, making his exclusion from the T20 setup all the more puzzling.
The selectors, the management, and even the coaching staff have conveniently argued that while Iyer is a fine player, India’s top four is already packed and there’s simply no room for him. But the reality is, with the skill set Iyer brings to the table, he is versatile enough to fit into the side at any position. His exclusion, therefore, feels less like a cricketing decision and more like a matter of personal preferences shaping the call.
Shreyas Iyer, however, has never been the one to back down. With the ability he possesses and the mental strength he has shown throughout his career, he will surely not lose heart. He has always found a way to bounce back, and one can be certain that in the times to come, he will carve his path back into the Indian setup.
(image source– Twitter / X)
