Shreyas Iyer is one of the best Indian batters in white ball cricket but his absence from the T20I squad for the Asia Cup 2025 has raised questions.
Fans were left wondering how a player with such a strong IPL season could be left out.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has now given his side of the story, while also hinting at the road Iyer might have to take to return to the national setup.
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Why did India leave out Shreyas Iyer from T20I squad?
The Mumbai batter was not part of the 15-member team announced for the Asia Cup. Agarkar explained that the decision was not about form or fitness, but about balance and competition for spots.
According to him, the squad is already packed with openers, middle-order batters, and finishers, making it difficult to fit Iyer in.
“Who can he replace? No fault of his, nor is it ours. At the moment, you can only pick 15, and he will have to wait for his chance.”
READ: Who will open for India in Asia Cup 2025?
How does his IPL form compare with others in the squad?
What made the decision even more surprising for fans was Iyer’s stunning run in IPL 2025.
Playing for Punjab Kings, he scored over 600 runs at a strike rate above 170. Performances like these normally guarantee a place in the Indian T20I side.
However, selectors felt that even with such stats, the current line-up already had players who offered flexibility.
With youngsters like Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Jitesh Sharma in the mix, India preferred to back the existing group that fits into different roles.
READ: Asia Cup 2025: Format, teams and groups explained
Is there a comeback path for Shreyas Iyer in international cricket?
Iyer opportunity could come in red-ball cricket. India will host West Indies later this year, and Iyer is being looked at as a strong candidate for the Test squad.
Before that, he is likely to play in the Duleep Trophy, which could serve as his chance to impress selectors once again.