Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from India’s squad for Asia Cup 2025 has left many furious and this decision has stirred a huge debate across the cricketing community. Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar also addressed the issue strongly and questioned chief-selector Ajit Agarkar’s decision to keep Shreyas Iyer out. Addressing the decision after squad announcement, Ajit Agarkar explained the reason behind Iyer’s exclusion. He stated that no one was at fault, a combination was picked that was best suited for the tournament.
“With regards to Shreyas, I mean, you need to tell him who he can replace. No fault of his, nor is it ours. It’s just that we have to pick 15 at the moment, he’ll have to wait for his chance,” Agarkar said in the press conference.
Nayar who was recently sacked from India’s coaching setup earlier this year and he asked that if Iyer was still considered to be a strong contender then why he wasn’t even part of the reserves.
“I don’t know, actually, I wanted to ask the question, aggar Shreyas Iyer itna hi accha hai toh reserve mei kyu nahi hai, (so how come he’s not in your reserve players? If it’s true that he is such a strong contender.) Sometimes, I mean, you know, selection meetings can be quite interesting and the discussion that happens in a selection meeting can be very interesting,” Nayar said on Star Sports.
“But I can’t fathom and I don’t understand what reason can justify Shreyas Iyer not being part of that 20-member squad. I’m not going for 15, I’m going for that 20-member squad, which sort of tells and sends the message to Shreyas Iyer that you are not in a 20-man scheme of things, because even if things don’t work out, you are not coming in the team. Either Riyan Parag is going to make the cut, or someone else is,” he added.
