Duleep Trophy 2025: Shreyas Iyer falls for underwhelming score in semi-final

Shreyas Iyer walked back for 25 off 28 on Day 1 of the second semi-final of the Duleep Trophy 2025 between West Zone and Central Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground B in Bengaluru. Iyer was the fourth  wicket to fall on the opening day's play.

Khaleel Ahmed's around-the-wicket angle proved to be Iyer's undoing as his middle stump was disturbed after he inside-edged the ball in an attempt to cut it. There was a long wait to check if Khaleel had overstepped, however, it was later deemed to be a legal delivery.

Iyer was the Khaleel's second breakthrough for the day after the left-arm pacer dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, who departed for a three-ball four in the first over of the day. Jaiswal's opening partner Harvik Desai fell a few overs later. Iyer had already struck four boundaries. However, he could not capitalise on his start.

Iyer's last competitive match came with Punjab Kings in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), as he led them in the final of the tournament against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The PBKS skipper enjoyed a stellar season with the bat, amassing 604 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 175.07. It was almost assumed that Iyer, also coming on the back of several impressive innings for Mumbai in domestic cricket, would make it to India's squad for the Asia Cup.

Jaiswal departs cheaply in Duleep Trophy semi-final

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Jaiswal departs cheaply in Duleep Trophy semi-final

However, his name was nowhere to be found when the team was announced at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters in Mumbai. When asked by the media about Iyer's non-selection, chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that he will have to "wait for his chance", prompting a huge stir on social media amongst the cricket community.