Shreyas Iyer’s T20 World Cup 2026 Dreams Put on Hold? Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has spoken out about Shreyas Iyer’s surprise omission from the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Not only was Iyer left out of the main team, but he also didn’t even make it to the list of five standby players.
That, according to Karthik, is a clear sign that the selectors and team management may not be considering him for the near future, including the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026.
The Asia Cup 2025 begins on September 9 in the UAE, and Iyer’s absence has already sparked debates among fans and experts, especially given his recent form and leadership record in T20 cricket.
“They’re Not Looking at Him for the Near Future” – Dinesh Karthik Speaks Out
Speaking at the India Today South Conclave on September 8, Dinesh Karthik called Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion unfair and expressed his disappointment.
“After the squad is put, they also put five other standbys. Now, in that five standbys also Shreyas wasn’t there, and that didn’t sit well with me, which basically means they’re not looking at him for the near future, and that would mean for the World Cup,” Dinesh Karthik said.
Read More
“Because India finished the Asia Cup, they have a couple of bilaterals, and after that they have the World Cup, which I feel is very unfair. And I think there is no way that he shouldn’t have missed those five players. He should have been part of the conversations in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, and I really wish he makes it to that T20 World Cup because he deserves it.”
Why Gambhir’s Winning Formula May Have Shut the Door
At the same time, Dinesh Karthik acknowledged that Gautam Gambhir, who took over as India’s head coach, has been delivering results with his current group of players. Since Gambhir stepped in, India has won 17 out of their last 20 matches, which makes it easier to understand why the coach is sticking with those who have been consistent.
“Look, Shreyas has done everything and more a player can do. Let’s park that aside. But if you see the last 20 matches that India have played since Gautam Gambhir has taken over, 17 they have won,” Karthik opined.
Read More
“So, as a coach, I’m assuming that he has certain players he’s looking at who are delivering, who have delivered results for him. So, if he has to make the hard choice of leaving certain players out, I can understand,” he added.
Iyer’s IPL Heroics Keep Him in the Spotlight
Despite being overlooked for the Asia Cup, Iyer’s recent record speaks for itself. He led Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final, where they narrowly lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He was PBKS’s top performer with 604 runs in 17 matches, striking at 175.07 and hitting six half-centuries. Just a year earlier, he captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title.
A Proven Match-Winner for India
Internationally, Iyer has played 51 T20Is, scoring 1,104 runs at a strike rate of 136.12, including eight fifties. His last T20I appearance for India came against Australia in December 2023. Across formats, he has represented India in 135 matches, amassing 4,760 runs with six centuries and 35 half-centuries.
Even earlier this year, Iyer was India’s standout batter in the 2025 Champions Trophy, finishing as the team’s top run-scorer with 243 runs in five innings at an average of 48.60, including two fifties.
Will He Find a Way Back Before the T20 World Cup?
For now, Shreyas Iyer finds himself out of India’s immediate plans, but Dinesh Karthik’s words echo the thoughts of many fans who believe he deserves another shot. With the T20 World Cup coming up next year, there’s still time for Iyer to make his case, and as Karthik said, he truly “deserves it.”
ALSO READ: Viktor Axelsen’s Comeback At Hong Kong Open: What To Expect
