Hold the phone, cricket fam. Why Shreyas Iyer is not in Asia Cup 2025 is the burning question that’s got everyone from your office cricket group to ex-players on TV talking. The stylish Mumbai batter, the man who just dragged Punjab Kings (PBKS) to their first IPL final in 11 years, didn’t just miss out on the India Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement. He’s not even in the reserves. Yup, you read that right, Shreyas Iyer not selected, not even as a standby! So, what gives?
Contents
Why Shreyas Iyer is not in Asia Cup 2025：3 Possible Factors
Let’s break down three possible (and spicy) reasons why one of India’s most explosive batters is watching the tournament from the couch.
1. Clash of Egos：Gambhir vs. Iyer?
If this were a Bollywood drama, this would be the scene with dramatic music and slow-mo eye contact. Word on the street is that things soured between Shreyas and India head coach Gautam Gambhir after KKR’s 2024 IPL title win. Despite lifting the trophy, Iyer publicly said he didn’t get the credit he deserved as captain. Awkward? Very. Sources say Gambhir, now India’s head coach, didn’t take kindly to that. And well, if your boss isn’t your biggest fan, good luck making the squad. It’s possible that Shreyas Iyer not selected has as much to do with politics as performance.
2. The “Rebel” Label and BCCI’s Cold Shoulder
You remember how Shreyas got dropped from the BCCI central contract list last year? That wasn’t random. Turns out, Iyer skipped domestic matches to train at a private IPL facility. BCCI didn’t love that. They said “no contract for you,” and now, it seems like “no squad for you” too. Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar tried to downplay it, saying:
“With regards to Shreyas, not his fault, nor is it ours. It’s just that you can pick 15, and at the moment you’ll have to wait for his chance.”
But c’mon, Agarkar. The guy just lit up the IPL. The idea that he didn’t even make the reserves during the India Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement feels like more than just “wait your turn.”
3. Too Many Middle-Order Maestros, Not Enough Chairs
India’s middle-order is overflowing like a buffet at a wedding. You’ve got Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel. Plus, head coach Gambhir loves his left-right combinations, so left-handers like Rinku get the nod for that sweet balance. Even ex-assistant coach Abhishek Nayar hinted that selection isn’t just about stats:
“Any selection after a while is, ‘who you like a little more than the other’… Maybe Shreyas Iyer is not liked as much as someone else.”
So yeah, Shreyas Iyer not selected could just mean he’s the odd man out in a musical chair game full of hotshot all-rounders and Gambhir-favored talents.
But Wait—The Man Has the Numbers!
Let’s talk facts. Because if you’re wondering why Shreyas Iyer is not in Asia Cup 2025, the stats will leave you more confused than before.
Shreyas Iyer’s IPL 2025 Performance
| Matches | 17 |
| Runs | 604 |
| Average | 50.33 |
| Strike Rate | 175.07 |
| Half-Centuries | 6 |
| 6s | 39 |
He wasn’t just good; he was elite. Among batters who scored 600+ runs, Iyer had the highest strike rate. Only Nicholas Pooran hit more sixes than him (40 vs. Iyer’s 39). He led Punjab Kings to their first final since 2014. Still, Shreyas Iyer not selected. Mind = blown.
Shreyas Iyer’s T20I Career
| Matches | 51 |
| Runs | 1104 |
| Average | 30.66 |
| Strike Rate | 136.12 |
| Half-Centuries | 8 |
| 6s | 44 |
Sure, he hasn’t played a T20I since 2023, but when he did, he made runs. He also starred in the 2025 Champions Trophy, leading India in runs. That’s not nothing. So again… why Shreyas Iyer is not in Asia Cup 2025? If performance were the only metric, he’d be in the XI, not ghosted like an ex after a bad date.
Final Thoughts
Let’s be real: Iyer’s exclusion isn’t just surprising, it’s weird. This is a player in form, with experience, with proven match-winning ability. Yet in the India Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement, there’s no sign of him. Not even a footnote in the reserves.
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) August 21, 2025
Whether it’s backstage politics, team combination preferences, or good old-fashioned bad luck, the reality is this: why Shreyas Iyer is not in Asia Cup 2025 is a question no one’s been able to convincingly answer. Not even the selectors. Will this snub fuel a massive comeback? Or is this the start of a long-term break-up between Iyer and India’s T20 plans? Stay tuned. The drama is far from over.
