R Ashwin Slams Asia Cup 2025 Selection: Shreyas Iyer’s Snub ‘Extremely Unfair’

Ex-India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his discontent with the selection to the Asia Cup 2025, more so with the omission of Shreyas Iyer. Ashwin termed the call as “sad” and “unfair” and also said that the omission of Yashasvi Jaiswal was a serious issue of concern about the selection process.

Shreyas Iyer and Jaiswal Left Out

The BCCI has declared India 15-man squad of the Asia Cup 2025, which will be held September 9 to 20 in UAE. But the list did not feature Iyer, who clinched the IPL 2024 title with Kolkata Knight Riders. Promising opener Jaiswal too was ignored even after an eye-catching form.

“Selection is a thankless job. You have to let someone out. When you talk to them, you have to go through that sadness and disappointment in their faces. I hope, someone has talked to Shreyas and Jaiswal,” Ashwin said on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat.

Asia Cup 2025 Selection Sparks Debate

When Shubman Gill was picked, Ashwin commented that there were two players who should have been picked and they were left aside.

“When you have Jaiswal as your third opener, you have brought Shubman Gill in the team by removing a person from the World Cup winning squad. I mean, I am happy for Shubman but I am very, very sad for both Shreyas and Jaiswal. It’s just not fair on both,” he explained.

The off-spinner too spoke about the past contributions of Iyer and stated that his performance in the Champions Trophy was a comeback and was a testament to his quality.

“Look at the credentials of Shreyas Iyer. He went out of the team. But came in the Champions Trophy and did amazing batting. He won and gave it to you,” Ashwin reminded.

Iyer’s Form and Leadership Credentials

Ashwin reasoned that Iyer and Jaiswal were in great touch. “If the answer is that Shubman Gill is in blasting form, Shreyas Iyer is also in high-quality form. Jaiswal’s innings on a tricky pitch in the last game in the Oval… he is also in cracking form. So, how can you give an answer for this?”

He also commended the IPL record of Iyer. “What Shreyas has done wrong… he did brilliantly well for KKR, made them win. He was sent into the auction. He then took Punjab to the finals for the first time since 2014. He overcame the short ball problem. He was hitting the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah with ease in the IPL. I am just extremely sad for him and Yashasvi Jaiswal; it is extremely unfair.”

Iyer has featured in 51 T20Is in which he has scored 1104 runs at a strike rate of 136.12. He is also an IPL captain who has also played the final in 2020 as captain of Delhi Capitals and won the title with KKR in 2021.

Nayar Backs Iyer, Questions Selectors

The selection of Asia Cup 2025 also came under fire by former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, who termed the absence of Iyer as baffling.

“I can’t fathom or understand what reason could justify Shreyas Iyer not being part of the 20-member squad,” Nayar told JioHotstar. “I’m not even talking about the final 15, but the 20 itself, which sends a clear message, that Shreyas Iyer is not in the selectors’ scheme of things, at least from a T20 perspective.”

The appointment of Gill as vice-captain was a sign of planning by the selectors according to Nayar. “This squad announcement sort of tells you the mindset of the selectors. With selection of Shubman, in time, he is going to be an all-format captain, and that’s where they are sort of positioning him,” he said.

Jasprit Bumrah was also kept in the team despite the workload issues by the selectors. Nayar defended the move, saying, “We all need to understand that Bumrah is a prized asset. He is the difference between winning and not winning a championship, and that must be respected.”

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