The exclusion of Shreyas Iyer from India's Test squad for the upcoming tour of England has sparked considerable debate within the cricketing fraternity. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named Shubman Gill as the new Test captain and Rishabh Pant as his deputy, the omission of Iyer, a seasoned campaigner, has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism from former players and experts.
One such voice is that of a former Indian star, who expressed shock and disappointment over Iyer's absence. According to reports, this former star believes that Iyer has proven his maturity and deserved a place in the Test squad, especially considering the recent retirements of veteran batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The sentiment is that Iyer had demonstrated his capabilities and should have been given the opportunity to solidify his place in the Test team.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed Iyer's exclusion by stating that while Iyer had performed well in ODIs and domestic cricket, there was "no room" for him in the Test team at the moment. This explanation, however, has done little to quell the surprise and disappointment surrounding the decision.
Iyer's recent form and performances have been noteworthy. In the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, he scored 480 runs at an average of 68.57 in seven innings. He also had a successful Champions Trophy campaign, contributing significantly to India's victory. Furthermore, he has been a consistent performer in the IPL 2025, leading his team, Punjab Kings (PBKS), to the playoffs after a long wait of eleven years. Despite these accomplishments, the selectors have opted to overlook him for the Test series against England.
The decision to exclude Iyer is particularly surprising given his Test record. In 14 Test matches, he has scored 811 runs at an average of 36.86, including one century and five half-centuries. While he experienced a lean patch in Tests last year, registering 187 runs at an average of 17 in his previous 12 innings, his overall Test record suggests that he has the potential to be a valuable asset in the Test arena.
Adding to the controversy is the inclusion of Karun Nair in the Test squad after a gap of eight years. While Nair is a seasoned player with a triple century to his name, his selection ahead of Iyer, who has been in better recent form, has been questioned by some observers. Some reports suggest that Nair's county cricket experience and domestic performance were factors in his selection, with selectors citing a need for experience in the absence of Kohli.
The exclusion of Iyer has undoubtedly left him disappointed, especially as he likely saw this as an opportunity to cement his place in the Test team. As one report suggests, Iyer must be thinking that he has missed the opportunity because this was the time to settle in the Test team. However, Iyer responded to the snub with a terrific half-century in a recent IPL match, demonstrating his resilience and determination.
Ultimately, the decision to exclude Shreyas Iyer from the Test squad remains a contentious one. While the selectors have their reasons for their choices, the omission of a player with Iyer's talent and experience has left many questioning the rationale behind the decision. Only time will tell if this decision proves to be the right one, as the Indian team embarks on its Test campaign in England.
