Shreyas Iyer has got all the backing of former cricketers and fans after his shocking snub from India’s squad for the Asia Cup. After a terrific IPL 2025, everyone thought he would be on the flight to Dubai but BCCI chose not to include him in the reserves as well. Iyer must’ve been adamant about proving the selectors wrong but he has faltered in his first opportunity.
Shreyas Iyer with untimely failure
A player of his quality needs to play all three formats for India. While he is undroppable in ODIs, Iyer isn’t part of any of the other two teams. He even deserves a spot in the Test team, considering the number six conundrum for India. The Gautam Gambhir-coached team tried Karun Nair and different options but it didn’t quite work out in England. However, Iyer needed to go all guns blazing in his first audition at the Duleep Trophy. He tried his bit but failed.
Representing West Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-final against a strong Central Zone unit, Iyer came to bat at number five after an 82-run stand between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Aarya Desai. But left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey got hold of Desai before Iyer came to the crease at the Centre of Excellence. Iyer, in his natural approach, went with his white-ball style and tried to assert his dominance. Against Dubey, Iyer hit 16 off 13 balls before also hitting Khaleel Ahmed for a four. However, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer ended Iyer’s stay prematurely and clean bowled him.
Despite batting at a strike rate of almost 90, Iyer was undone with a score of 25 off 28. There’s no denying that Iyer likes to play aggressively but he needs runs under his belt. In the meantime, Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored a century while batting at number four. With Sarfaraz Khan missing the match due to an injury, this was a golden opportunity for Iyer to prove selectors wrong.
Yashasvi Jaiswal fails as well
Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s stay in the Duleep Trophy 2025 semi-final lasted just three balls, as he was dismissed in the opening over by Khaleel Ahmed. Jaiswal clipped the first delivery of the match for a boundary but was soon trapped lbw by the left-arm pacer.
He exploited the early conditions well to send the in-form India opener back in disappointment. Central Zone, led by Rajat Patidar, features Deepak Chahar and Khaleel. Jaiswal’s wicket came despite him entering the clash in fine touch, having scored 411 runs in the recent England Test series. He also had a steady IPL 2025 campaign with Rajasthan Royals. Although not part of the Asia Cup squad, Jaiswal has been named among the standbys along with Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar.
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