India vs England: Shreyas Iyer should have been picked ahead of Sai Sudharsan?

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed his disappointment with the national selectors’ decision to exclude Shreyas Iyer from the Test squad for the upcoming five-match series against England. The 18-member squad for the high-profile red-ball tour was unveiled on Saturday, May 24, and one of the notable inclusions was young left-hander Sai Sudharsan, whose selection raised eyebrows in the cricketing community. Kaif was vocal in questioning the selectors’ criteria, particularly criticizing the preference for Sudharsan, who has primarily impressed in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season. According to Kaif, basing a Test selection on recent IPL performances is not only misguided but also unfair, as the skills and temperament required in red-ball cricket are vastly different from those needed in the fast-paced T20 format.

India vs England: Sai Sudharsan picked over Shreyas Iyer in the Test squad?

Mohammad Kaif argued that the selection committee should have given more weight to proven performers in the longer format. In particular, Kaif expressed concern over the omission of Shreyas Iyer, who he believes has consistently delivered for India across formats. Iyer, who has shown resilience and reliability in the middle order, especially in overseas conditions, was overlooked despite his experience and track record. Kaif pointed out that such decisions can be demoralizing for players who have proven themselves at the international level and are still left out due to inconsistent selection policies.

"Sai Sudharsan is a brilliant player, no doubt. But he was picked in the Test squad after a good IPL season (679 runs and counting, as of May 29). Iyer, meanwhile, has been doing well for so long. He scored some 550 (530 runs in 11 innings) runs in the 2023 ODI World Cup and in the Champions Trophy (243 runs in five innings) as well. He is still doing a terrific job with the bat for Punjab Kings (514 runs and counting, as of May 28). He is captaining too. So, on one hand, you are considering white-ball criteria for one player and not for the other," stated former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif. 

Shreyas Iyer last donned the Indian whites during the Test series against England in early 2024, when the English side toured India. However, after playing the first two Tests, he was dropped from the squad due to inconsistent performances and has not been in contention for a place in the red-ball setup since then. Despite the setback, Iyer has remained committed to the game, turning his focus to domestic cricket to make a strong case for his return.

Representing Mumbai in the 2024–25 edition of the Ranji Trophy, Iyer showcased his class and determination with a string of impressive performances. He accumulated 480 runs in just seven innings, reaffirming his capability as a dependable middle-order batter. His contributions were instrumental in Mumbai’s solid campaign during the tournament. Iyer’s domestic form suggests that he is far from done and still has the hunger and fitness to perform at the highest level. Many experts and fans have argued that his performances deserved greater recognition from the national selectors, especially given the importance of experience and temperament in Test cricket. His continued exclusion, despite a strong showing in the domestic circuit, has sparked debates about the criteria used for selection.

In the recently announced Indian Test squad for the upcoming five-match series against England, several notable inclusions caught the attention of fans and experts alike. While young talent Sai Sudharsan earned a call-up, experienced domestic performers like Karun Nair and Abhimanyu Easwaran also secured their places. However, one name conspicuously missing from the list was Shreyas Iyer, sparking questions and discussions among cricket followers.

Despite being overlooked for the Test squad, Iyer has been making headlines in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025, where he is leading the Punjab Kings with remarkable success. Under his captaincy, the franchise has enjoyed a strong season, securing a spot in the playoffs for the first time in years. Iyer has not only impressed with his leadership acumen but has also contributed significantly with the bat, playing crucial knocks in pressure situations. His ability to anchor the innings and take bold on-field decisions has been widely praised. Iyer’s form and leadership skills have made many question the selectors' decision to exclude him from the red-ball format, especially when less experienced players have been given opportunities. Given his consistent performances and current form, many feel Iyer deserved another shot at cementing his place in the Test side.