Former India opener Aakash Chopra opined that there is no place for Shreyas Iyer in the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025. While he praised Iyer’s performance in Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) for Punjab Kings (PBKS), Chopra pointed out that India’s batting order already looks settled, making it difficult to find a spot for the stylish right-hander.
The Indian selectors will announce the Asia Cup squad on August 19. The tournament will begin in the UAE on September 9. Iyer’s name has been discussed after his IPL run but his place in the team is uncertain. Iyer might find it hard to make the squad because of the intense competition in the middle-order.
Shreyas Iyer scored 604 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike-rate of 175.07 in 17 innings for Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. He led PBKS to their first final in more than a decade but lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Aakash Chopra On Shreyas Iyer’s Place in India’s Packed Batting Order
On his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked if Iyer deserves a place in the team’s batting lineup for the Asia Cup. He responded:
"That is a phenomenal question. No one is answering this question and everything else is being spoken about. Of course, you want him to play. Indian cricket's beauty is that it has a lot of talent. So many people look ready that if someone were to play, he would change the game. Shreyas Iyer can do that."
He talked about his strong performances in the IPL but was quick to point out the problem of fitting him in as India's middle-order looks packed.
"If you see his recent IPL performance, he came after sorting out his short-ball problem. He has opened up his stance a little and started hitting very well towards midwicket and long-on. If you leave aside the RCB matches, he has been absolutely outstanding. He took the team to the final," he added.
"However, the truth is also whether a place is there. Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav are already doing well. How will you move any of them? The truth is that when Tilak asked Surya to play him at No. 3, he was played and he scored two hundreds. Surya lost his place. They were flip-flopping between them. So there is no place till No. 4."
No Room for Shreyas Iyer in India's Middle Order in T20Is
Chopra further questioned if Iyer could slot in at No. 5 but suggested that even there India have other options.
"Should Shreyas Iyer be there for No. 5 because we want to play Hardik at No. 5? There is Nitish Kumar Reddy as well, and we don't know what would happen to Rinku Singh down the order. No one has made any mistake."
He added that the same situation facing Shubman Gill or Yashasvi Jaiswal might apply to Iyer too as India cannot make him sit on the bench.
"If you don't want to include Shubman Gill or Yashasvi Jaiswal, the same thing might apply to Shreyas Iyer as well. I know it looks a little unfair, but you need to wait for your time. He might come in the 15, but should Shreyas not play if he is part of the team? He is not the one to be made to sit on the bench," Chopra concluded.
