Shreyas Iyer vs Tilak Varma IPL 2025 player comparison

The selection committee announced India's 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 on Tuesday, August 19. The announcement for the all-important tournament sparked widespread debate among fans and experts, particularly regarding the omission of star batter Shreyas Iyer. The Asia Cup is set to begin on September 9 in the UAE, with India scheduled to play the hosts on September 10.

Despite showcasing immense talent in the Champions Trophy and consistent performances in IPL 2025, Iyer was not included. On the other hand, Tilak Varma, who had a relatively average IPL season, strengthened his case with some notable knocks for India. Here, CricTracker delves deep to compare who performed better in the IPL, and whether the selections justify themselves on the basis of recent performances.

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer is one of India’s most reliable middle-order batters, with over 100 IPL matches and more than 3,500 runs to his name. The right-handed batter is known for maintaining a strike rate in the 130s while keeping the team’s momentum intact, and has consistently delivered under pressure. In IPL 2025, he captained Punjab Kings (PBKS), guiding them to their first final since 2014. In a memorable Qualifier 2 clash against Mumbai Indians, Iyer’s brilliant 50-plus innings propelled PBKS to the final.

Leading from the front, he scored 604 runs in the campaign at an average of 50.33, while significantly improving his strike rate, hitting the ball at 175.07 across the season. His consistency, ability to anchor and accelerate the innings made him the standout performer of the season, even though PBKS finished as runners-up. Iyer’s dominance throughout the tournament reaffirmed his status as a top-tier IPL performer and a reliable middle-order batter for India.

Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma — the stylish left-hander had a strong international T20 record, scoring two centuries in his last seven T20Is for India. However, his IPL 2025 campaign was less impressive. Varma scored over 300 runs in 13 innings, including a couple of half-centuries, averaging around 30 with a strike rate above 140.

While he showed glimpses of brilliance, his consistency and ability to anchor the innings were occasionally under scrutiny, which contributed to a few losses for Mumbai Indians (MI). Despite a moderate IPL season, Varma’s performances on the international stage have proven his class. His skill set and ability to perform under pressure make him an important asset for India in the Asia Cup.

Shreyas Iyer vs Tilak Varma IPL 2025 stats comparison

Conclusion

In IPL 2025, Iyer clearly outshone Varma in most departments with the bat, dominating throughout the tournament and leading PBKS to the final. Varma had a decent season for MI, but was not at his peak IPL form. Nevertheless, his form in international cricket ensures he remains a valuable player for India, capable of making a significant impact in the continental tournament.