In a move that has raised eyebrows across the Indian cricketing landscape, Shreyas Iyer has been left out of the India A squad for the upcoming tour of England. This exclusion comes at a time when Iyer has been delivering consistently strong performances in domestic cricket as well as in the Indian Premier League, making his absence from the squad all the more baffling.
Shreyas Iyer has had a stellar run in the 2024–25 domestic season. In the Ranji Trophy, he scored 452 runs in just five innings at an average of over 90, including a marathon double century that showcased both endurance and flair. His ability to anchor innings and accelerate when required made him a standout performer throughout the season. His performances were not only statistically impressive but also crucial in pivotal moments, helping his side stay competitive in tightly contested matches.
Beyond red-ball cricket, Shreyas Iyer has also been in sublime touch in the ongoing IPL season. Captaining the Punjab Kings, he has emerged as the team’s top scorer, amassing more than 260 runs in eight matches. His average has hovered around 44, with a strike rate well above 180 — an indication of the balance he brings between aggression and consistency. Innings like his unbeaten 97 and a quickfire 72 have made him one of the most reliable middle-order batters in the tournament. Despite his team’s mixed results, Iyer’s personal form has remained intact, if not peaking.
Given this context, the decision to exclude him from the India A squad is surprising. While the selectors have not offered a detailed explanation, there are speculations that the decision could be based on long-term strategic thinking, possibly focusing on grooming younger talents or managing Iyer’s workload following previous injury concerns. However, there are no recent fitness concerns publicly known that would justify his exclusion on medical grounds.
What further adds to the surprise is that Iyer recently regained his central contract with the BCCI, signaling the board’s faith in his capabilities and relevance to the national setup. Shreyas was also one of India’s top performers in the Champions Trophy earlier in the year, underlining his value in high-pressure scenarios. His exclusion from a key developmental tour, especially one as crucial as England, appears contradictory to the momentum his career was building.
Some argue that leaving out an experienced and in-form player like Iyer denies the India A squad a seasoned campaigner who could provide leadership and stability in foreign conditions. Tours like these are often used to fine-tune players for potential roles in the senior team, and Iyer’s experience could have been an asset not just in terms of performance but also mentorship.
As it stands, Shreyas Iyer must now continue doing what he does best — piling up runs and letting his bat speak. If he maintains this level of form, his return to the senior national team seems inevitable. While the current selection may be puzzling, it may only serve as a temporary setback for a player whose career still holds the promise of many achievements to come.
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