"Closing doors on him?" - RCB coach destroys Gambhir, Agarkar for burying Shreyas Iyer’s Asia Cup hopes

Former Team India cricketer Dinesh Karthik slammed the omission of batter Shreyas Iyer from the 2025 Asia Cup squad. Karthik said that the team needs continuity but questioned why Iyer was not included among the five standby players being considered for the Asia Cup ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.

The BCCI revealed India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup on Tuesday, August 19, along with five reserve players. Shreyas Iyer’s omission has sparked debate, given his recent performances. The tournament is set to take place in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28, despite India being the host.

Dinesh Karthik Slams Selectors Over Shreyas Iyer’s Omission from 2025 Asia Cup Squad

Sharing his views on Instagram on August 21, Dinesh Karthik said that Shreyas Iyer should have been included among the five standby players, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup in mind. He called the omission “unfair,” adding that Iyer has performed well under pressure.

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“Where is Shreyas Iyer? That’s the big question, isn’t it? How could he miss out? To a point, it’s understandable. He wasn’t part of the 15, considering how well team India have done."

"17 out of the last 20 they have won so okay, continuity, fair. But not making him part of the other five players which you have earmarked for the near future with the T20 World Cup in mind?” Karthik said.

“Closing doors on him? That’s a tad bit unfair and I hope it doesn’t happen because he has done outstandingly well as a leader, but even better as a batter under pressure,” he added.

Dinesh Kartik Reaction on Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from Asia Cup Squad

Everyone is Speaking for him Sadly a lil late cause the Politics against him is going on from Sometime

But Now People are asking questions to management
That's What he has Earned ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7fF8H5MWMT

— Sawai96 (@Aspirant_9457) August 22, 2025

India to Begin 2025 Asia Cup Campaign on September 10 in Dubai

India have been placed in Group A for the 2025 Asia Cup, alongside Pakistan, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. The Men in Blue will start their campaign against the UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 10.

India will face Pakistan next at the same venue on September 14, before concluding the group stage at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 19. The tournament will also serve as preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Suryakumar Yadav will captain the Indian T20I side, with Shubman Gill as vice-captain. Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh have retained their spots in the squad.

Shreyas Iyer Waiting to Return to India’s T20I Squad

Shreyas Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the 2024 title, guided Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2025. He scored 604 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 175.07, including six fifties, emerging as Punjab’s leading run-scorer.

Apart from the IPL, the middle-order batter also led Mumbai to the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy glory. He has accumulated 6,578 runs in 240 T20 matches, including three centuries and 43 half-centuries.

The 30-year-old has not played a T20I since December 2023, though he remains a regular in India’s ODI middle order and is expected to feature in the upcoming ODI series in Australia. Iyer has scored 1,104 runs in 51 T20I matches at a strike rate of 136.12.

Also read: Ajit Agarkar's chair in dark clouds? Pragyan Ojha gets orders to be ready as BCCI floats official order