Shreyas Iyer will captain India A in the unofficial four-day Test series against Australia A. Iyer, who was a star in the Champions Trophy-winning campaign, was not included in India's 15-man Asia Cup squad.
As per the Indian cricket icon, Samson has been accommodated at number five in the Asia Cup to allow Iyer to make a return in the T20I setup.
Shreyas Iyer was instead drawn to other sports like cycling, tennis, football, and Formula One.
Shortly after the 2023 World Cup at home, where India finished as the runners-up, Shreyas Iyer picked a back injury which by his own admission "paralysed" one of his legs.
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Following the snub, Iyer has been selected to captain India A in an unofficial four-day Test series against Australia A that will take place later this month.
The Australian A squad will visit India next week to play three one-day matches and two four-day red-ball matches.
Shreyas Iyer is expected to have a "prominent role in the side – captaincy or otherwise", the report stated.
Over the course of 17 innings in IPL 2025, Shreyas Iyer piled up 604 runs at an impressive average of 50.33 and a blistering strike rate of 175.07, finishing as the sixth-highest run-getter of the tournament.
Shreyas Iyer enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2025 campaign, amassing more than 600 runs at a strike rate exceeding 170 and guiding the Punjab Kings all the way to the final.
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Shreyas Iyer's last appearance in Indian colours was at the ICC Champions Trophy held earlier this year.
Iyer, who had a stellar IPL 2025 season scoring 604 runs at a strike rate of 175.07 while guiding Punjab Kings to the final, was widely expected to be part of the squad.
With an IPL trophy, two other finals appearances, and domestic silverware under his belt, Iyer has consistently turned potential into results.
Ajit Agarkar, the current chairman of selector, had noted both Shreyas Iyer and the selection committee are not at "fault" over his absence from the Asia Cup 2025 squad.
Shreyas Iyer played a massive role in India's previous ODI assignments, which was at the ICC Champions Trophy held earlier this year.
Prior to IPL, Shreyas Iyer played a key role in leading India to Champions Trophy triumph, which was after making a comeback to the ODI setup during the England series.
Sport always gives a second chance. Ask Karun Nair. Shreyas Iyer too will have his chance. His runs will force the door open.
According to a source in the know, Shreyas Iyer wasn't even considered for the Asia Cup.
Shreyas Iyer hasn't done anything wrong, according to Ajit Agarkar, but he must wait for his opportunity to return to the T20I setup.
Asia Cup 2025, India squad SWOT analysis: The big headline was the return of Shubman Gill, while the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer missed out.
When asked why he didn't choose Shreyas Iyer, Ajit Agarkar said that although the batter has been playing well, the team doesn't have room for him now.
With an average of 50.33, a strike rate of 175.07, and six fifties, the Punjab Kings captain scored 604 runs in 17 games in the IPL 2025.
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Asia Cup 2025: Players like Shreyas Iyer, Sai Sudharsan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill are reportedly being considered for selection.