India omit Shreyas Iyer from Asia Cup 2025 squad

India’s Asia Cup squad for 2025 has been announced without Shreyas Iyer, a development that has prompted wide discussion about what went into the selectors’ decision. The 15-man squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, does not include Iyer, nor is he listed among the five standbys. The omission came despite Iyer’s strong recent form in domestic cricket and leadership credentials, with the tournament set to take place in the United Arab Emirates in September.

Iyer’s latest professional season underscored why many observers expected him to be in consideration. He captained Punjab Kings to the IPL final in 2025 and amassed 604 runs at a strike rate above 170, with an average in the 50s, contributing both in the top and middle order. Yet he has not played a T20I for India since December 2023, and recent IPL output did not translate into a place within the India squad or its standby group, according to selectors. The chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, stated there was no space for him in the current lineup, underscoring that selection decisions often hinge on a range of tactical and team-balance considerations beyond individual form.

The omission has drawn commentary from one of cricket’s most...