Shreyas Iyer ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026

Former Team India wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik opened up about middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from the squad for the Asia Cup 2025. Karthik also stated that the team management and selectors may not be considering Iyer for the near future, including the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Iyer was omitted from India’s squad, including five standbys, for the Asia Cup, which raised eyebrows. Fans and cricket analysts were surprised, given the Mumbai batter’s strong recent performances in T20 cricket and his leadership abilities. The Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to begin on September 9 in the UAE.

They’re Not Looking at Him for the Near Future - Dinesh Karthik on Shreyas Iyer

Speaking at the India Today South Conclave on September 8, Dinesh Karthik called Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from the squad unfair. Karthik stated that Iyer deserved to be part of discussions leading up to the World Cup and expressed hope that the batter secures a spot in the tournament next year.

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“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," Karthik said.

"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.”

Shreyas Iyer Has Done Everything And More a Player Can Do - Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik said that India have won 17 of their last 20 matches under coach Gautam Gambhir. He stated that the coach may be prioritizing players who have consistently delivered results, adding that Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion is understandable.

“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.

"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.

Shreyas Iyer Led the Punjab Kings to the Final in the IPL 2025

Shreyas Iyer led Punjab Kings (PBKS) to the final in the IPL 2025 season, where they lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The 30-year-old was their leading batter, scoring 604 runs from 17 matches at a strike rate of 175.07, with six half-centuries to his name.

Notably, Iyer had guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the title in IPL 2024. He has played 51 T20Is, scoring 1,104 runs at a strike rate of 136.12, including eight fifties. He last played for India in the format against Australia in December 2023.

The Mumbai batter has also represented India in 135 matches across formats, amassing 4,760 runs with six centuries and 35 half-centuries.

Earlier this year, Iyer finished as India’s top run-getter in the 2025 Champions Trophy, scoring 243 runs in five innings at an average of 48.60, including two fifties.

Also read: Kuldeep Yadav struck off again from Asia Cup 2025; Gautam Gambhir's intent vows to destroy his career