Sanjay Manjrekar expressed shock over Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from the Asia Cup 2025 squad. The former cricketer and renowned commentator criticized the Indian selectors for leaving Iyer out of the team, questioning their decision-making process. Manjrekar also took a swipe at the panel for selecting players for the T20I side based on their Test performances, indirectly pointing at Shubman Gill.
Iyer’s omission has sparked widespread debate within the Indian cricket fraternity. The stylish right-hander had an exceptional run in IPL 2025, showcasing consistency and aggression with the bat.
Leading Punjab Kings (PBKS), Iyer piled up 604 runs in 17 matches at a stellar average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07. His tally included six half-centuries, with a highest score of an unbeaten 97, making him the leading run-scorer for PBKS and the sixth-highest overall in the tournament.
“It Just Doesn’t Make Sense”: Sanjay Manjrekar Slams Indian Selectors
Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has strongly criticized the Indian selectors for their choices ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. Speaking in a video posted on Instagram, Sanjay Manjrekar questioned the logic behind picking players for T20Is based on performances in other formats.
“This isn’t new—I’ve seen it happen for years. Selectors have this tendency of rewarding players for performances in one format by picking them in another, even when the skillsets don’t always translate,” Sanjay Manjrekar said.
The 60-year-old was particularly disappointed with the omission of Shreyas Iyer, despite his outstanding run in IPL 2025.
“Leaving Shreyas Iyer out of the T20 squad is shocking. He did everything right in his comeback series and then carried that same form into the IPL,” Sanjay Manjrekar noted. “No other batter matched his consistency this season—an average above 50, a strike rate over 170, and regularly changing games with the bat. Yet, his reward is non-selection.”
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had earlier explained that there was no place for Iyer in the current setup. Another big talking point was the exclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who also missed out on the Asia Cup squad.
Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav will lead India in the tournament, which begins on September 9 in the UAE. Defending champions India have been drawn into Group A and will face the hosts in their opening match on September 10 in Dubai.
“When I see a Test performance being used as justification for a T20 selection, it just defies cricketing logic. It simply doesn’t make any sense,” Sanjay Manjrekarr concluded.
