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"Communication Is Key" Rahane Gives Special Advice To Selectors After Iyer's Asia Cup Snub

Rajgeeta Yadav

Shreyas Iyer [Source: AFP]Shreyas Iyer [Source: AFP]

The announcement of India’s squad for the 2025 Asia Cup has created a lot of buzz in the cricket world. One of the biggest talking points is the absence of Shreyas Iyer, despite his outstanding form in recent months. 

Iyer has been one of India’s most consistent performers, finishing as the team’s second-highest run-scorer in the Champions Trophy 2025 and having a stellar IPL season. Yet, he was not included in the 15-member squad or even in the list of reserves.

This unexpected decision has led to strong reactions from fans and former players alike. Among them is former India captain Ajinkya Rahane, who has played alongside Iyer for many years in Mumbai cricket. 

Ajinkya Rahane Expresses Disappointment

Rahane admitted that Iyer must be feeling disappointed but also acknowledged the challenges selectors face when choosing a balanced squad of only 15 players.

“I'm sure he (Shreyas Iyer) must be really disappointed considering the kind of IPL he had. It was a fantastic season. Even in domestic cricket, especially in the 50-over format, he has performed really well whenever given opportunities. I can completely understand the team management’s point of view, since they can only pick 15 players and need to see the balance of the team,” Rahane said on his YouTube channel.

However, Rahane stressed that Iyer deserves clarity about his future in the Indian T20 setup. 

“The only thing I want to see and I want to know is that a proper communication from selectors and team management with Shreyas. He’s an important member of the team and I’m sure in the coming years or in the future he’s going to be part of the T20 format as well. So communication is the key from the selectors to Shreyas Iyer,” he added.

Ajit Agarkar Breaks Silence On Iyer's Exclusion

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar also addressed the issue during the squad announcement, explaining that leaving Iyer out was simply due to the limitation on squad size. “It’s not Shreyas’ fault, nor ours. We could only pick 15 players. He just has to wait for his chance,” Agarkar said.

Iyer’s recent stats make his exclusion even more surprising. He scored 243 runs in five matches in the Champions Trophy at an average of 48.60, including two half-centuries. In the IPL 2025, he was among the top scorers with 604 runs in 17 matches at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07. 

Since India’s last T20 World Cup win, Iyer has played 26 T20 internationals, amassing 949 runs at an average of 49.94 with a strike rate of 179.73, including one century and seven fifties.