Asia Cup 2025: "You cannot omit Iyer from white-ball teams" - Sourav Ganguly says Shreyas Iyer deserves a place ahead of Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma

Shreyas Iyer slammed 604 runs in IPL 2025 while leading Punjab Kings.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has stated that it is astonishing that Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer did not make Asia Cup 2025 roster, claiming that the latter should have been chosen ahead of Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma in the 15-man squad.

In August, national selectors left Iyer out of Asia Cup 2025 squad. While the decision triggered yet another round of online anger, he was later selected as captain of India A for two multi-day games against Australia A later this month.

Iyer was India’s leading scorer with 243 runs in five innings at an average of 48.6, and he was crucial in the middle overs throughout the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Despite Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) failure to win the championship, Iyer’s leadership received a lot of recognition, which enhanced his standing as a tactical captain.

“You cannot omit Shreyas Iyer from white-ball teams”- Sourav Ganguly

Iyer has improved his leadership skills over the last two IPL seasons, leading the PBKS to the India Premier League (IPL) 2025 final and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third championship last year.

In addition to becoming captain, Iyer has made significant strides as a batsman. Many cricket fans and former players found his exclusion inexplicable, even after he amassed 604 runs in the IPL 2025 at an incredible average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175 runs.

“I am surprised not to see Iyer in the Asia Cup squad. Whenever I don’t see him in a white-ball squad, I am taken aback. He has played such brilliant innings in the IPL and has been a great captain. You cannot omit Iyer from white-ball teams. He deserves a spot ahead of Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma. We have Sanju Samson as the wicketkeeper, so why would we still not bring in Iyer?” Ganguly said while speaking to Anandabazar Patrika.

Shreyas Iyer is expected to be seen in action for India when they travel to Australia for three ODIs and five T20Is.

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