Asia Cup 2025: ‘Who can he replace?’: Ajit Agarkar drops a bombshell on Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from India’s squad

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In a significant development for Indian cricket, the BCCI has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, set to be played in the UAE from September 9. The continental event, which will be contested in the T20I format, marks the beginning of India’s preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

In a notable move, India’s Test captain Shubman Gill has been named the team’s vice-captain, while key bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav make their return to the T20I setup for the first time since their T20 World Cup victory in the Caribbean. India will open their campaign on September 10, a day after the tournament begins.

The most surprising decision from the selection meeting is the exclusion of middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer, a move that has sparked widespread debate. The omission is particularly baffling given Iyer’s phenomenal recent form across all formats. He had an incredible IPL 2025 season, where he captained the Punjab Kings to the final and scored over 600 runs at a stunning strike rate of 175.07. This was the third-best strike rate for a batter with over 600 runs in a single IPL season.

Beyond his IPL heroics, Iyer’s golden run includes captaining Kolkata Knight Riders to a title, leading Mumbai to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and playing a key role in India’s Champions Trophy win. When asked about the decision during the press conference, Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar stated, “It’s no fault of his (Shreyas). Got to tell me who he can replace? At the moment, will have to wait for his chance,”

His comments showcased the intense competition for places in the Indian squad, where even a player with Iyer’s remarkable record and versatility is unable to secure a spot.

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The squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, strikes a balance between seasoned performers and dynamic T20 specialists. The return of fast-bowling spearhead Bumrah is a major boost, providing the team with a match-winner who has been absent from the shortest format for a considerable period. His presence, along with the wrist-spin wizardry of Kuldeep, strengthens India’s bowling attack significantly.

The selection committee has backed a core group of players, including the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh, who have been integral to India’s recent T20I successes. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube offer valuable pace-bowling all-round options, while the presence of two wicketkeepers in Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma provides flexibility. The team appears to be a well-rounded unit, designed to handle the diverse challenges of the Asia Cup and serve as a strong template for the T20 World Cup next year.

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