Asia Cup 2025: As the countdown begins for the Asia Cup 2025, starting September 9, conversations around India’s squad have picked up serious heat. Among the voices weighing in, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has strongly pitched for Shreyas Iyer’s inclusion and for good reason.
The Champions Trophy earlier this year and IPL 2025 offered a timely reminder of Iyer’s qualities as a batter who thrives under pressure. In both tournaments, he showcased the perfect blend of composure and controlled aggression, a skill set India desperately needs in their middle order heading into a high-stakes continental event.
Why Iyer Matters Right Now
The middle order has often been India’s Achilles heel in T20 cricket. While the top order has glittered with fireworks, collapses in the middle have cost crucial matches. Shreyas Iyer brings in what Chopra calls “stability and adaptability.”
His T20I record speaks volumes: 1104 runs at a strike rate of 136.11. More importantly, Iyer is not just a hitter; he’s a builder. He has the rare ability to absorb pressure when early wickets tumble and then shift gears seamlessly when the situation demands acceleration.
Add to this his experience of leading IPL sides and handling crunch moments – his maturity stands out as a calming influence in tense chases or while setting targets.
What It Means for Team India
Slotting Iyer at No. 4 or No. 5 could change the complexion of India’s batting unit. It provides Rohit Sharma and the team management the luxury of flexibility – whether that means strengthening the top-heavy batting lineup or shoring up the middle in case of early setbacks.
As India eyes the Asia Cup not just as a trophy but as a dress rehearsal for the 2026 T20 World Cup, players like Shreyas Iyer offer the solidity needed to build a foundation. He may not always grab the headlines with 200-strike-rate cameos, but his runs often come when the team needs them most.
The Bigger Picture
Cricket fans know the Asia Cup is more than just another tournament. It’s a test of temperament against high-quality opposition like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh in pressure-cooker conditions. Having a dependable batter who has proved himself across formats and conditions could be the difference between lifting the trophy or leaving with regret.
With Aakash Chopra voicing what many fans are already thinking, the selectors now face a crucial call. If stability, adaptability, and experience are the buzzwords, Shreyas Iyer’s name deserves to be inked into India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad.
