Former coach questions selectors for keeping Shreyas Iyer out of Asia Cup 2025 team

In the Indian team for the Asia Cup 2025, selectors have again overlooked Shreyas Iyer, prompting former Indian cricket team assistant coach Abhishek Nair to raise questions. Nair said he cannot understand why Shreyas Iyer has been kept out of the Asia Cup squad. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member team for the tournament on Tuesday, but some names have sparked controversy.

Abhishek Nair told JioHotstar that he doesn't understand why Shreyas Iyer isn't part of the 20-man squad. He clarified he's not talking about the final 15, but the 20, which clearly indicates that Shreyas Iyer is not within the selectors’ plans—at least for the T20 format.

The selectors included Test captain Shubman Gill in the Asia Cup squad. Gill hasn't played T20 matches since July 2024, making his selection a surprise to many.

Shreyas Iyer delivered a brilliant season in IPL 2025, scoring 604 runs in 17 matches at an average of 50.33, including six half-centuries. Under his leadership, Punjab Kings reached the final of IPL 2025. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill also had an excellent season, scoring 650 runs in 15 matches at an average of 155.88, with six half-centuries.

Gill has played 21 T20 matches for India, scoring 578 runs at an average of 30.42. He's among the few Indian players to score centuries in all three formats. During Gill's captaincy, India tied a five-match Test series 2-2 on the England tour. He has been named vice-captain of the Indian team for the Asia Cup.