The Asia Cup 2025 squad is finally out. As always, the announcement brought a wave of excitement – fans debating playing XIs, discussing team combinations, and dreaming of another trophy. But amid all the buzz, one name missing from the list made me stop scrolling and stare at the screen for a while – Shreyas Iyer.
Because if there’s one player who has quietly done everything asked of him, and maybe even more, it’s Iyer.
I still remember his last T20I in December 2023 against Australia – he scored a fluent 53 off 37 balls. It wasn’t just another knock; it felt like a statement. The kind of innings that says: “I belong here.” But then came a gap. A gap that has lasted nearly two years. And in that time, instead of fading away, Iyer built an even stronger case for himself.
Let’s take a quick journey through what he has achieved since then:
- IPL 2024: 351 runs with match-defining knocks, and oh yes – he also lifted the trophy as captain of KKR.
- Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024: 345 runs, led Mumbai to another championship.
- IPL 2025: His best season yet – 604 runs while captaining PBKS all the way to the final.
That’s not just form – it’s domination. That’s not just runs – it’s impact. And most importantly, that’s not just talent – it’s leadership.
Now here’s the twist: despite all this, when India named their Asia Cup squad, Iyer’s name wasn’t there.
Yes, the squad looks strong. Suryakumar Yadav leads the side, Shubman Gill is his deputy. The batting is stacked with Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube. On paper, it’s a team full of firepower. But let’s pause for a moment and think about roles.
T20 Cricket isn’t just about eleven talented players – it’s about the right mix. The fearless hitters are essential, no doubt. But when wickets tumble early, or when spinners are dictating the middle overs on slow Asian pitches, you need someone who can hold the fort and still score at a healthy rate. That someone, more often than not, has been Shreyas Iyer.
Think about it.
- He rotates strike better than most in the middle order.
- He has a proven record of tackling spin – something India often struggles with in big games.
- He doesn’t just survive in pressure situations, he thrives.
- And let’s not forget the leadership he brings – calm, composed, and battle-tested.
For a team that has sometimes been accused of being “too top-heavy” or lacking stability beyond the first tour, wouldn’t Iyer be the perfect glue? The one who ensures the big hitters around him can play with freedom?
And that’s where the heartbreak lies. This isn’t about a player fighting poor form. This isn’t about a half-fit batter being rushed in. This is about a man in peak form, with back-to-back trophies and finals behind him, still waiting for a recall.
So, the question that keeps echoing: what more does Shreyas Iyer need to do?
Maybe the selectors want to invest in younger options. Maybe they see Gill as the future. Maybe they’re looking at team balance differently. But whatever the reasoning, it’s hard not to feel that India has left out someone who could genuinely tilt games in their favor.
Because when the pressure cooker moments arrive – chasing in a knockout, batting on a turning track, or rebuilding after an early collapse – there aren’t many better middle-order batters in the country than Shreyas Iyer.
His exclusion isn’t just a personal setback. In a way, it feels like India’s loss too.
And perhaps, just perhaps, we’ll only realize how big that loss is when the Asia Cup reaches its defining stages.