'What more does Shreyas need to do to earn a place in India’s T20 team?'

Shreyas Iyer has been left out of India’s Asia Cup squad, a decision that has surprised fans given his consistent performances. His father, Santosh Iyer, also expressed disappointment, questioning the selectors’ call: “What more does Shreyas need to do to earn a place in India’s T20 team?”

From the IPL to domestic cricket, Iyer has been in outstanding form. After leading Kolkata Knight Riders to the title, he captained Punjab Kings to the final. In the most recent season, he scored over 600 runs at a strike rate exceeding 175. Despite such numbers, he failed to make the Asia Cup squad.

While he has been a regular in the ODI setup, Iyer last featured in a T20I back in November 2023 against Australia, where he struck 53 off 37 balls. Since then, he has not received another call-up.

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has termed the omission unfair, while chief selector Ajit Agarkar defended the decision, stating: “It’s not Shreyas’s fault, nor ours. But there are only 15 slots in the squad.”

The Asia Cup is set to begin on September 9 in the UAE, where India will take the field without one of their most in-form batters.