Shreyas Iyer was going to be India's captain in Asia Cup 2025

The Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement has turned into one of the biggest talking points among the cricket fraternity, and the reason is the shocking snub of Shreyas Iyer. Fans and experts have been showing anger, as Shreyas Iyer has been one of India’s most consistent batters in all formats.

The Mumbaiker was India’s second-highest run-getter during their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 triumph earlier this year and among the top run scorers in the IPL 2025. Yet, Shreyas finds no place in the 15-member squad and not even in the reserves for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

India selectors under fire as Iyer shockingly dropped from Asia Cup 2025 squad

The PBKS captain's snub has sparked fiery debates among the former cricketers who have been openly questioning the Indian selectors’ decision.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Former Australian cricketer and Punjab Kings (PBKS) assistant coach Brad Haddin, who worked with Iyer in the IPL, was among those to express his shock at the decision.

Read Also: "Gautam Gambhir's only achievement is Champions Trophy win and that happened because of Shreyas Iyer"

Haddin could not believe that the PBKS has been left out of India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad despite his ability to handle pressure and lift the entire team’s energy. Even the PBKS coach felt Iyer would be part of the leadership team, but the Indian selectors shocked him.

I actually thought he was going to be captain: Brad Haddin on Shreyas Iyer

The Aussie called Iyer’s omission an “extraordinary blunder” that could backfire in the tournament. He also hinted at the internal team politics for the right-handed batter’s snub, as many felt it could be a Punjab Kings conspiracy.

Brad Haddin said on the Willow Talk Podcast: “Well, one, leadership qualities. Two, the style of player he is under pressure, and he's someone that everyone plays better with when he's on the team. I had no idea. I first thought when I was reading it that he was injured, but he's not. So, it's a strange decision for me because he brings so much to the game. I actually thought he was going to be captain. Extraordinary selection.”

Brad Haddin and Alyssa Healy Reaction on Shreyas Iyer's exclusion From Asia Cup Squad

Aussies are not aware of Bcci politics and hence they are Surprised about him not being there pic.twitter.com/KsKTR8BMuJ

— Sawai96 (@Aspirant_9457) August 22, 2025

Abhishek Nayar drops a bombshell on Shreyas Iyer’s Asia Cup 2025 snub

Meanwhile, former Indian assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has added fuel to the fire over Iyer’s shock omission from the Asia Cup 2025 squad. Nayar said the decision showed a much bigger issue, hinting that Iyer is no longer in the team’s long-term plans.

Read Also: “Their stories become a part of our history”: RCB Director’s colossal statement on Bengaluru stampede victims

Nayar stated, “I don’t know why Shreyas Iyer is out. I’m not even referring to the 15 players, but I am talking about the top 20 players. It clearly indicates that Shreyas Iyer is not part of the plans.”

Notably, Iyer had worked hard on overcoming his long-standing weakness against short-pitched deliveries. In the IPL 2025, the PBKS captain was seen confidently taking on world-class pacers like Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah.

The Indian middle-order batter’s growth as a batter and leader made his exclusion more shocking for the cricket experts. Iyer had scored 243 runs in five innings at an average of 48.60, including two fifties, in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He amassed 604 runs at a strike rate of 175.07 in the IPL 2025.