Asia Cup 2025: 'Not even there in the five reserves' - Shreyas Iyer's exclusion concerns former India batter
"If he keeps scoring runs in ODIs, sooner or later, Shreyas Iyer will be part of the team. I have a strong feeling that Shreyas Iyer will be a part of India's T20 World Cup team," said Chopra.
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The BCCI revealed the 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, led by Suryakumar Yadav. Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned Shreyas Iyer’s non-selection in the team for the marquee continental event. However, he noted that the right-handed batter is expected to feature in the Indian squad for next year’s T20 World Cup, which India will co-host with Sri Lanka.
The Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28. The selectors announced a 15-member Indian squad on Tuesday, August 19, with Iyer being one of the most notable omissions. Chopra observed that Iyer could not have done anything more to merit a spot and added that, if he continues performing well in ODIs and domestic cricket, he is likely to be picked for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
"Shreyas Iyer not being there is a big story. What more will Shreyas Iyer have to do? What more can you do than what you have already done? You had a 600-plus run IPL season, took the team to the final, scored runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, played Ranji, and won the Champions Trophy. That's all you can do as a human being," Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
"This is the Asia Cup team. Don't attach the World Cup with it because there are 15 T20Is after this. The world changes in 15 T20Is. If he keeps scoring runs in ODIs, sooner or later, Shreyas Iyer will be part of the team. I have a strong feeling that Shreyas Iyer will be a part of India's T20 World Cup team," he added.
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Ajit Agarkar on Shreyas Iyer's snub from Asia Cup 2025 squad
No clarity in front of Iyer's name: Chopra
Chopra also expressed surprise over Iyer’s exclusion even from the five reserves named for the Asia Cup 2025. The cricketer-turned-commentator added that being left out of the 20-player list does not send a positive signal. The Agra-born believes that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee could have easily kept him in the reserve players' list.
"Shreyas' name is not even there in the five reserves, and that is surprising. It's understandable that you couldn't have him in the 15 as you can't play him in the XI, and you wanted lower-order batters as backup, where Shivam Dube is there, and Rinku Singh will be given another chance, which is absolutely par for the course," Chopra said.
"However, a place could have been created in the reserve players at least, where the selectors have kept Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Prasidh Krishna. This player's name could have been there. They haven't kept it there either, and that doesn't send a great signal. The clarity in front of Shreyas' name is completely not there," he concluded.
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