The biggest shock after the Asia Cup squad announcement was Shreyas Iyer’s absence. Despite being one of the most consistent white-ball performers over the past year, he was left out of the 15-member squad and not even named in the reserves.
Fans Voice Outrage
Fans expressed their frustration loudly on social media. One tweeted:
“Talent alone is not enough, you also need to please the right people, otherwise there is no selection.”
Another fan commented:
“No one has batted better in white-ball cricket, including the IPL, in the last year than Shreyas Iyer. Yet he finds no place in the Asia Cup squad.”
Former Players Speak Up
Ex-cricketer Abhishek Nayar said:
“I can’t fathom and I don’t understand what reason can justify Shreyas Iyer not being part of that 20-member squad. This sends the message that even if things don’t work out, you are still not coming in the team.”
Irfan Pathan added:
“There is no doubt in my mind that Shreyas Iyer will not only be in the T20 side but he will be part of the leadership group too. Patience is the key for him at the moment.”
Ashwin Questions Selection Logic
Ravichandran Ashwin directly questioned chief selector Ajit Agarkar. He highlighted Iyer’s achievements: overcoming weaknesses against the short ball, winning the Champions Trophy for India, leading KKR to an IPL title, and guiding Punjab to their first final in a decade. For Ashwin, ignoring such credentials made no sense.
Debate Likely to Continue
With fans venting online and top players backing Iyer, the controversy is far from over. While selectors maintain there is “no place” for him, many question how long Indian cricket can afford to leave out a player who consistently delivers when given a chance.
