Punjab Kings assistant coach Brad Haddin is baffled by the fact that the selectors have ignored Shreyas Iyer for Asia Cup 2025. Despite putting up consistent performances across formats and in IPL 2025, the Mumbai batter has been snubbed and instead has been asked to wait for his chance. Haddin dubbed Iyer’s snub as a strange decision while lashing out that the selectors.
‘Thought he was injured’
Speaking on Willow Talk podcast, Haddin revealed that he had thought Iyer was injured and hence wasn’t picked in India’s Asia Cup squad. The PBKS coach pointed out that Shreyas’ leadership qualities, his ability to perform under pressure made him a must-have in any team. Dubbing the selection as ‘extraordinary’, Haddin claimed that the decision to leave him out felt strange as he brought so much to the game.
“What happened there? Well, one, leadership qualities. Two, the style of player he is under pressure, and he’s someone that everyone plays better with when he’s on the team. I had no idea. I first thought when I was reading it that he was injured, but he’s not. So, it’s a strange decision for me because he brings so much to the game. I actually thought he was going to be captain. Extraordinary selection,” Haddin said.
Iyer last featured in a T20I for India back in December 2023. After he was snubbed from the BCCI Central Contracts list for 2024/25, the Mumbai batter put up consistent and impressive performances across formats in domestic tournaments.
| Format | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
| Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | 345 | 49.3 | 188.5 |
| Vijay Hazare Trophy | 325 | 325 | 131.6 |
| Ranji Trophy | 480 | 68.6 | 90.2 |
| IPL 2025 | 604 | 50.3 | 175.1 |
| Champions Trophy 2025 | 243 | 48.6 | 70.41 |
Earlier this week, Iyer’s father had also expressed frustration over his snub. He said that while it wasn’t expected to make the Mumbai batter the captain, the least that the selectors could do was to have him in the team.
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