Published: Aug 25, 2025, 12:58 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 25, 2025, 12:58 PM (IST)
India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 has already sparked intense discussions, as fans and former players were surprised by the omission of Shreyas Iyer. Despite consistently performing across formats and delivering in the IPL 2025, the Mumbai batter was not included in the squad.
Supporters and cricket enthusiasts have expressed their disappointment and shock over Iyer’s exclusion, but Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, have stood by their decision, stating that there is no place for him in the current lineup.
Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer’s Mumbai teammate, Shardul Thakur, chose to stay away from controversy. The experienced all-rounder avoided making any critical comments but emphasized that Iyer possesses the resilience and determination to bounce back and fight his way into the team in the future.
Shardul Thakur was quoted as saying by ANI, “I cannot say that because it is the decision of the selectors and the board. So, we cannot say anything about that. But I cannot say anything about that because it is not in my hands. There will be controversies, but as a player, you have to be strong. And Shreyas is also very strong. Whenever he plays in the upcoming matches, I am sure he will give a very good performance.â€
Shardul Thakur has emphasized that the Asia Cup 2025 will play a crucial role in shaping India’s preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026.
With the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash scheduled for September 14 in Dubai, tensions have been high, especially following boycott calls from some former cricketers and politicians in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack earlier this year.
The 33-year-old all-rounder stressed that strong performances in the Asia Cup will help boost the team’s confidence and secure support heading into the T20 World Cup. Thakur also expressed his excitement for the marquee India-Pakistan encounter, calling it one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
Shardul signed off by saying, “India-Pakistan is always a big match for cricketers and for the country. And the Asia Cup is such a big tournament that it has a lot of importance in the life of a cricketer. We see that before the T20 World Cup, this tournament is played. And the performance in this is carried by the confidence of the team. So, Team India will always try to do well in this. And all the players will have our full support.â€
Shardul Thakur has been named captain of West Zone for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025 after Shreyas Iyer declined the role, hoping to focus on selection for India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad. As a result, Iyer will now play under Thakur’s leadership in the tournament.
The two stars will be part of the West Zone squad in the Duleep Trophy 2025 semifinal, which begins on September 4 in Bengaluru. The team boasts a mix of established Indian talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, alongside prominent domestic performers including Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, and Tushar Deshpande.
