India middle-order batter Shreyar Iyer's omission from the Suryakumar Yadav-led squad for the Asia Cup 2025 surprised many cricketers because the latter was India's highest run-getter in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. After India's win in the Champions Trophy 2025, Iyer led his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) to the final of the tournament. Iyer was among the highest run-getters in the IPL 2025, scoring 604 runs in 17 matches of the tournament.
Former India cricketer Irfran Pathan also reacted to Iyer's absence from India's squad. Irfan reckons that Iyer will not only be in the T20 side, but he will be part of the leadership group too. He suggested that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper to be patient.
"There is no doubt in my mind that @ShreyasIyer15 will not only be in the t20 side but he will be part of the leadership group too. Patience is the key for him at the moment" Irfan Pathan posted on X.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar also answered on Iyer's omission, saying that there is no one whom he can replace in the squad and they have to pick 15. He also suggested the batter to wait for his chance.
"With regards to Shreyas, I mean, you need to tell him who he can replace. No fault of his, nor is it ours. It's just that we have to pick 15 at the moment, he'll have to wait for his chance," Agarkar said in the press conference.
Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to start from September 9, and India will start their campaign the next day against the UAE at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. The high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan will take place on September 14 at the same venue.
India's Asia Cup 2025 squad: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
Stand-bys: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal