After an intense five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England that ended 2-2, India’s attention now turns to the Asia Cup 2025, starting September 9 in the UAE.
The Men in Blue are placed in Group A alongside UAE, Oman, and arch-rivals Pakistan. Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong. With the tournament just weeks away, discussions around India’s squad have gained momentum.
According to a Times of India report on August 14, the BCCI will announce the squad on August 19 in Mumbai, with captain Suryakumar Yadav expected to attend the selection meeting. The report also suggests that Test captain Shubman Gill and young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal are unlikely to be picked, with the selectors sticking to Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson at the top.
Another big talking point is the potential omission of Shreyas Iyer, a proven match-winner and part of India’s 2025 Champions Trophy-winning team. If true, it would be a surprising decision here are three reasons why India must include him.
1. Consistent T20 Match-Winner in Recent Years
Shreyas Iyer debuted in T20Is in 2017 and has since played 51 matches, scoring 1,104 runs at an average of 30.66 and a strike rate of 136.12, with eight half-centuries.
While he hasn’t played a T20I since 2023, his domestic and franchise form has been exceptional:
- IPL 2024 (KKR): 351 runs in 14 innings at an average of 39.00 and a strike rate of 146.86.
- Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 (Mumbai): 345 runs in 8 innings at an average of 49.28 and a strike rate of 188.52, including a century and a fifty.
- IPL 2025 (PBKS): 604 runs in 17 matches at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07, with six half-centuries.
At 30, he’s at the peak of his game, and his form makes a strong case for his T20I comeback ahead of the Asia Cup.
2. A Strong Candidate for Future Leadership
Iyer brings more than just runs he’s a proven leader. With Suryakumar Yadav turning 35 next month and the possibility of India looking for a younger captain after the 2026 T20 World Cup, Iyer could be a natural choice.
His leadership record speaks for itself:
- Led Mumbai to the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title.
- Guided Delhi Capitals to their first-ever IPL final in 2020.
- Captained Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title in 2024.
- Took Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final in his debut season with them.
Across 87 IPL matches as captain, Iyer has 50 wins, 35 losses, and two no-results an impressive record that proves his tactical acumen.
3. Stability in an Unsettled Middle Order
India’s top order looks settled with Abhishek Sharma in blistering form and Suryakumar Yadav as the batting mainstay. Sanju Samson, despite his recent struggles, had three T20I hundreds in 2024.
But the middle order remains a concern:
- Rinku Singh’s form has dipped, with just 206 runs in 11 innings during IPL 2025 and a string of low scores for India.
- The batting roles of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube have been inconsistent.
- Experiments with Riyan Parag and Nitish Kumar Reddy are yet to produce reliable results.
Iyer’s ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed makes him the perfect fit for the No. 5 spot, providing stability and helping India lock in a balanced XI.
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