Indian cricket fans were left puzzled when the Asia Cup 2025 squad was announced. The biggest talking point was not the players selected, but the omission of Shreyas Iyer — a batter who has been one of India’s most consistent performers in recent times.

What surprised many was not just that Iyer didn’t make the 15-member main squad, but that his name was also missing from the five-man reserve list. Considering his stellar form in the Champions Trophy and IPL 2025, the decision has raised eyebrows and sparked debates among fans, experts, and former cricketers.

Let’s dive into the full story and understand why Shreyas Iyer didn’t even make the reserves for Asia Cup 2025.

Shreyas Iyer’s Recent Form

Before we talk about his exclusion, it’s important to look at his numbers:

• Champions Trophy 2025:

  • India’s highest run-getter

  • Second-highest overall in the tournament

  • 243 runs in just 5 matches

  • Average: 48.60

  • Two fifties, highest score: 79

• IPL 2025:

  • Sixth-highest run-getter of the season

  • 604 runs in 17 innings

  • Average: 50.33

  • Strike Rate: 175.07

  • Six half-centuries, highest score: 97 (not out)*

These stats clearly show that Shreyas Iyer has been in red-hot form across formats. Naturally, fans expected him to at least be part of the reserves if not the starting XI.

Experts Question the Selection Call

Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar voiced what many fans were thinking. On Star Sports, he expressed his disbelief:

“I can’t fathom, and I don’t understand, what reason can justify Shreyas Iyer not being part of that 20-member squad. Even if you don’t pick him in the 15, at least keep him in reserves. This sends a message that he is not in the team’s plans at all.”

Nayar went on to suggest that maybe the selectors don’t see Iyer as a T20 prospect, or perhaps personal preferences played a role in the final call.

BCCI’s Explanation: “Too Big a Player for Reserves”

Amid the noise, a BCCI source explained the reasoning to the Times of India. According to the official:

• Shreyas Iyer is considered a first-choice player, not a backup option.

• The selectors felt that putting him in reserves would be like benching a senior player, which could affect his confidence.

• If picked, he should walk into the playing XI. If not, it’s better to keep him out altogether.

The source clarified:

“A seasoned player like Shreyas can’t be named in the reserves, please understand this! If you pick him, he plays in the XI. No one has any grudge against Iyer. He will get his chances and play many matches for India in all three formats. It’s just that right now, he didn’t fit in.”

Possible Reasons Behind the Omission

While BCCI gave its stance, multiple factors could be at play:

1. Team Balance & Combination

• India already has a packed middle order with players like Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and Riyan Parag pushing for spots.

• The team management may have opted for more all-rounders to provide balance in a T20 format.

2. T20 Playing Style

• Shreyas Iyer is more known for his anchor role, stabilizing innings.

• Modern T20 strategies prioritize explosive batters who can score quickly from ball one.

• Perhaps the selectors felt he didn’t suit the power-hitting template they wanted.

3. Preference and Vision for Future

• As Nayar hinted, sometimes selections are about who the management prefers at that time.

• Youngsters like Riyan Parag might be seen as investments for the future.

4. “Big Player” Tag

• Unlike youngsters, a player of Iyer’s stature cannot just be a bench option.

• Naming him as a reserve may have been seen as disrespectful or counterproductive.

What This Means for Shreyas Iyer

For Shreyas Iyer, this omission is clearly a setback, but it doesn’t mean his India career is in jeopardy.

• The BCCI has confirmed that he remains in their long-term plans across formats.

• His strong Champions Trophy and IPL numbers prove he can’t be ignored for long.

• With a packed calendar of cricket ahead — including bilateral series, World T20, and World Test Championship games — he will definitely get opportunities.

For now, though, he must see this as a motivational challenge to come back even stronger.

Fan Reactions

Fans on social media have been vocal:

• Many argued that performance should matter most, and Iyer’s recent form deserved recognition.

• Others supported the selectors, pointing out that India has too many middle-order batters and not enough slots.

• Some even called the decision “political” or “biased,” though the BCCI strongly denied such claims.

Conclusion

The exclusion of Shreyas Iyer from the Asia Cup 2025 squad and reserves remains one of the most debated selection calls in recent memory. His form was excellent, his experience undeniable, and his numbers among the best in the team. Yet, as the BCCI explained, the logic was simple:

• If you pick Iyer, he plays. If he doesn’t fit the XI, he doesn’t belong in reserves.

Whether fans agree or not, it shows how selection is not just about statistics but also about team balance, roles, and future planning.

For Shreyas Iyer, this could be a temporary roadblock. His quality ensures that sooner or later, he will be back in the Indian colors — not as a reserve, but as a mainstay.

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