The announcement of India’s squad for the 2025 T20 Asia Cup ignited widespread debate across the cricketing fraternity, with former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar leading the chorus of disbelief over the exclusion of star batter Shreyas Iyer. Amid expectations that recent form would be a decisive selection factor, Iyer’s omission has prompted scrutiny of the logic and fairness underlying squad selection for one of Asia’s biggest sporting contests.
Key Highlights: The “Shocking” Omission
Sanjay Manjrekar described Iyer’s exclusion from the squad for the UAE-hosted Asia Cup as “just shocking,” emphasizing his outstanding form and consistent match-winning performances over the past season.
Iyer’s leadership of Punjab Kings to their first IPL final in 11 years, amassing 604 runs in 17 innings at an average above 50 and a striking rate exceeding 170, set him apart as one of the foremost T20 batsmen in the country.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s statement clarified that Iyer’s omission was not a reflection on the batter himself, acknowledging him as “unfortunate” to miss out, yet offering little clarity on the selectors’ rationale.
Selection Policy Under Fire: Format Mixing and Fairness
Manjrekar criticized a recurring tendency in Indian cricket selection: giving T20 spots to players excelling in Tests or other formats, sidelining specialists who consistently deliver in the shortest format.
He pointed to the appointment of Shubman Gill as vice-captain—despite more recent success in red-ball cricket—and questioned whether Test performances are being overvalued in T20 squad decisions.
Fans and experts alike have echoed the sentiment on social media, calling for format-specific selection and transparency to reward merit where it counts.
Reflections on Iyer’s Comeback
Iyer’s return after a challenging period was marked by prolific run-scoring—not only in the IPL but also in his comeback ODI series against England, where he batted with newfound maturity and form.
Manjrekar highlighted that Iyer’s omission from previous squads for lack of domestic “commitment” had the desired effect: the player returned focused and delivered under pressure, only to now be overlooked again at his professional peak.
Broader Implications for Indian Cricket
The debate underscores ongoing concerns about selection volatility and communication gaps between selectors, management, and players.
With the Asia Cup campaign starting September 10 against UAE, the choice to leave out one of the IPL’s most consistent run-makers could have tactical and morale impacts, especially if India faces batting collapses or struggles in key matches.
Other notable omissions, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, have fueled the broader discourse around the need for statistical and form-based selection, rather than seniority or reputational factors.
Conclusion
Shreyas Iyer’s omission from India’s Asia Cup T20 squad has sparked a nationwide conversation about the principles of merit, recent form, and fairness in international cricket selections. As Sanjay Manjrekar and many fans put it, the decision appears devoid of cricketing logic, raising important questions about the path forward for India as it seeks Asia Cup glory under renewed scrutiny of its selection policies.
Sources: Morung Express, CricTracker, Cricketnmore, Indian Express
