Could Shreyas Iyer Have Earned a Spot Among Asia Cup Reserves?
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Synopsis
Aakash Chopra raises eyebrows over Shreyas Iyer's absence from the Asia Cup reserves, questioning the clarity of his T20I future. With impressive IPL stats and past performances, what does the future hold for Iyer? Dive in as we explore the implications of this decision and its impact on his international career.
Key Takeaways
- Aakash Chopra questions Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from Asia Cup reserves.
- Iyer had a remarkable IPL season in 2025.
- Concerns arise over clarity of Iyer's future in T20 formats.
- Chopra believes Iyer can still make it to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
- Next, Iyer plays for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy.
New Delhi, Aug 20 (NationPress) Former India opener Aakash Chopra asserts that Shreyas Iyer should have been included in the reserve players list for the upcoming Asia Cup, arguing that this decision lacks clarity regarding his future in T20Is.
Iyer recorded an impressive 604 runs at a strike rate of 175 in the 2025 IPL, leading Punjab Kings to the finals. Despite significant strides in his performance against short balls and his ability to dominate spinners, Iyer was excluded from both the main squad and the five-member reserve list.
This move perplexed former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, and Chopra shares his sentiments. "Shreyas' absence from the reserve list is indeed surprising. While it's clear that he couldn't fit into the 15-member squad due to the selection of lower-order batters like Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh, a spot could have certainly been found among the reserves, especially considering the inclusion of Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Prasidh Krishna. Shreyas’ exclusion sends a concerning message regarding his standing," Chopra remarked on his YouTube channel.
Chopra remains optimistic about Iyer's prospects for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, contingent on his continued success in ODI formats. Currently, Iyer is set to represent West Zone in the upcoming 2025/26 domestic season's Duleep Trophy.
"The situation surrounding Shreyas Iyer is noteworthy. What more does he need to achieve? After a stellar IPL season with over 600 runs, leading the team to the finals, excelling in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, playing in Ranji, and winning the Champions Trophy, he has done all that is expected of him. This decision regarding the Asia Cup should not be conflated with the upcoming World Cup, as there will be 15 T20Is before then. If Iyer continues scoring runs in ODIs, he will inevitably rejoin the team. I strongly believe he will be part of India's T20 World Cup squad," he concluded.
Point of View
It is essential to recognize Aakash Chopra's concerns about Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from the Asia Cup reserves. His outstanding performances warrant consideration, and this decision raises questions about the selectors' clarity regarding his role in T20 cricket. As always, we advocate for transparency and merit-based selections in national representation.
NationPress
08/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Shreyas Iyer not included in the Asia Cup reserves?
The selectors opted for other players in the reserve list, which has raised questions about the clarity of Iyer's future in T20 cricket.
What were Shreyas Iyer's stats in IPL 2025?
Shreyas Iyer scored 604 runs at a strike rate of 175 in IPL 2025 and led Punjab Kings to the finals.
What does Aakash Chopra think about Iyer's exclusion?
Chopra finds Iyer's absence surprising and believes it sends a concerning message about his standing in T20 cricket.
What are Shreyas Iyer's next steps following this exclusion?
Iyer's next assignment is the Duleep Trophy, where he will play for West Zone in the upcoming domestic season.
Can Shreyas Iyer still make it to the T20 World Cup squad?
Chopra is optimistic that if Iyer performs well in ODIs, he can still be included in India's T20 World Cup team.
