A player who has been effortlessly facing the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso Rabada in the IPL. And yet, he reportedly has no place in the Asia Cup team. Immediately after the announcement of India’s Asia Cup squad, R. Ashwin expressed his disappointment over Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion. What more does he need to prove on these grounds? A player who batted at a strike rate of 170 in the IPL has no place in the Indian team, it seems. How can you justify sidelining someone who led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to a title and guided Punjab Kings to the finals in the very next season?
Fan Backlash and Pundit Criticism
In the hours following the announcement, social media has been flooded with questions from fans. Former cricketers and cricket pundits have launched scathing criticism against the BCCI and the selectors. During the team announcement, Ajit Agarkar was asked who Shreyas Iyer could replace in the 15-member squad. However, fans believe that no justification for excluding Iyer can hold water. It’s worth noting that Iyer’s name was absent even from the list of five standby players.
Captaincy Conversations Begin
Amid this, another discussion has emerged in cricketing circles. The BCCI is reportedly considering Shreyas Iyer as a potential captain for India’s ODI team. The question of who will lead the ODI side after Rohit Sharma has been lingering for some time. While names like Shubman Gill have started to surface, reports indicate that the BCCI is seriously considering Iyer for the captaincy role. Several national media outlets have reported on this development. India’s next ODI series is against Australia in October, where players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to be part of the squad. However, doubts remain about their inclusion in the 2022 ODI World Cup squad, with factors like age, fitness, and form coming into play. The BCCI may prioritize younger players, and if the Rohit era ends before the World Cup, Shreyas Iyer’s name will be prominently considered for captaincy. His current form in ODIs and prior leadership experience will work in his favor.
Shubman Gill and the Future of T20I Leadership
Meanwhile, it is widely believed that Shubman Gill will take over the T20I captaincy after Suryakumar Yadav. Although Gill’s name is under consideration as an all-format captain, no immediate changes are expected in the ODI captaincy. Iyer has been in excellent form in ODI cricket recently. He was a key figure in India’s Champions Trophy success, scoring 243 runs at an average of 48.6 across five matches, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer behind Rishabh Pant.
A Consistent ODI Performer Ignored
In his career, Iyer has amassed 2,845 runs in 70 ODIs at a batting average of 48. His name is undoubtedly among the top in the list of India’s most consistent ODI batters. His continued form in T20s makes his exclusion from a major tournament like the Asia Cup incomprehensible to fans. In the last IPL season, Punjab Kings acquired Iyer for a record ₹26.7 crore, and the 30-year-old repaid their faith with a remarkable performance. Despite losing to Bengaluru in the final, Punjab reached the IPL final for the first time since 2014 under Iyer’s leadership. KKR, who let go of the captain who brought them a title, must also regret their decision. In 17 matches last season, Iyer scored 604 runs at a strike rate of 175, including six half-centuries, finishing as the sixth-highest run-scorer with 39 sixes to his name.
Controversy Around Tilak Varma’s Inclusion
The concern that including Iyer in the team would question Tilak Varma’s position was a topic of discussion during the Asia Cup selection. Former cricketers like Robin Uthappa, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, and R. Ashwin, among others, have criticized the decision to overlook Iyer. With only 18 matches left before the T20 World Cup, a team without Iyer—who played a pivotal role in the Champions Trophy victory—feels strange. Fans are hopeful that he will return to the team soon. Sharing the BCCI’s post on X, one user wrote, “In response to questions about Shreyas Iyer during the press conference, Ajit Agarkar clarified that this is not the final team for the T20 World Cup. The selection committee will surely rethink when announcing the World Cup squad, no doubt about it.
