Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from the Asia Cup 2025 squad has surprised fans and experts. He was in fine form and showed strong leadership in the IPL, which made his absence from the Indian team even more shocking.
AB de Villiers on Selection Call
Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has shared his thoughts. He believes the decision may not only be about runs and form but also about team dynamics. According to him, such factors often play a major role in high-level selections.
Shreyas Iyer’s IPL Record
Iyer has delivered consistent performances in the Indian Premier League. In 2024, he led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title. Earlier this year, he took Punjab Kings to the final while scoring key runs in the middle order at No. 3 and No. 4.
A Questionable Omission
Despite these achievements, Iyer was left out of the Asia Cup squad. Fans and experts alike have criticised the move. On his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers said he found the decision strange, but also noted that selection depends on many different factors.
Dressing Room Value Matters
De Villiers explained that when two players are evenly matched, selectors also consider dressing room impact. Energy, positivity, and the ability to motivate teammates can make a difference. He hinted that this might explain why Iyer was not picked.
Too Many Leaders in the Team
He further suggested that with so many senior names in the Indian squad, selectors may have wanted to avoid personality clashes. He added that past incidents could also be a factor, though he admitted this was only his guess.
Team Balance Over Performances
De Villiers’ comments underline the importance of team balance. While Iyer has the statistics and leadership qualities, selectors may have valued group harmony more. Sometimes decisions come down to what he called “team player value” over individual performances.
Debate Around Iyer’s Future
The exclusion of Shreyas Iyer has fuelled widespread debate. Fans feel he has been unfairly dropped, while experts like AB de Villiers argue that dressing room dynamics may explain the decision. As De Villiers put it, even Iyer may not know the full reason yet.
