Shreyas Iyer had the highest strike rate among the top 10 run-getters in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Only Nicholas Pooran hit more sixes than him, 40 to 39. Yet, he wasn’t included in India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025. Since 2023, only Suryakumar Yadav has more IPL runs at a better strike rate than Yashasvi Jaiswal. But the opener wasn’t picked either.
Mohammed Siraj had the joint second-most wickets in the powerplay in IPL 2025. Mohammed Shami had a very poor outing this year, but from 2020 to 2023, he was one of the best bowlers in the IPL. None of them was able to warrant a spot. Their exclusion doesn’t mean that the selectors made a mistake, but it highlights the level of competition.
Pakistan wants players like Shreyas Iyer & Jaiswal
Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali thinks that all of these Indian cricketers would have been the first names on the team sheet for the Asia Cup had they been playing for Pakistan.
“Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami agar Pakistan mein hote na ye log A category mey hote (These would have been in Pakistan’s A category),” Basit said on The Game Plan show.
He feels that Shreyas was hard done by the most. As one of the best players of spin, he would have been a valuable asset in the UAE, where he has already shown what he can do in the Champions Trophy.
“Iyer ke sath zayadti ho gayi hai. Unko team mey hona chahiye (It was unfortunate that Shreyas Iyer has not been picked),” he said.
Pakistan can’t challenge India in Asia Cup
Basit also isn’t optimistic about Pakistan’s chances in the Asia Cup. He thinks that Team India is the outright favourite to win the tournament. Sri Lanka is the only team that can perhaps challenge them. Basit had previously stated that he thinks that India will embarrass Pakistan if they play in the Asia Cup.
“They have got a very explosive squad, and I think only Sri Lanka can compete with them,” he added.
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