Strong leadership skills kept Shreyas Iyer away from the India squad? Monty Panesar explains

Nothing weighs heavier in selection than a player’s form. In that regard, Shreyas Iyer has performed impressively across formats and tournaments, enough for the BCCI to take notice. However, as crucial as it is, sublime form alone does not guarantee selection. Iyer's purple patch, as seen in IPL 2025 and the ICC Champions Trophy, seemed sufficient for the batsman to secure a spot in India's T20I squad. Unfortunately, the pile of runs did not prove enough to persuade the BCCI to call up the PBKS captain. Iyer's name was glaringly missing from the India squad for the Asia Cup 2025.

The chief selector at the BCCI, Ajit Agarkar, explained that the T20I squad simply did not have room for Shreyas Iyer. The India squad for the Asia Cup 2025 saw the board hand a comeback to Shubman Gill in the shorter format after a year. The year-long hiatus, taken to focus on longer formats, did not hold back Gill from claiming India's vice-captaincy. Agarkar also strongly hinted that Gill's inclusion would see Sanju Samson losing his spot. Despite being India's second-highest run-scorer in the format since the 2024 T20 World Cup victory, Samson will head to the bench to make way for Gill.

Clearly, the BCCI had to force open a seat for Gill to make his T20I comeback at the Asia Cup. However, the board opted against making the same move to fit Shreyas Iyer into the middle order. Gill's inclusion, reportedly, carries a deeper intent. The youngster, who succeeded Rohit Sharma as India's Test captain earlier this year, is being viewed by the board as the next all-format leader. Currently serving as deputy to Suryakumar Yadav, Gill is in line to take over as the white-ball skipper in the near future.

Monty Panesar lists the reason behind Shreyas Iyer not making the India squad for Asia Cup 2025

As India gears up for Asia Cup, former England spinner Monty Panesar has made a bold observation. Panesar feels that the omission of Shreyas Iyer from the India squad for Asia Cup 2025 stems from his strong leadership qualities rather than his cricketing form. The selectors announced the 15-member team two weeks ago, yet debate continues to swirl around Iyer’s absence. Unlike Yashasvi Jaiswal or Dhruv Jurel, Iyer did not even found a spot among the reserve players for the next tournament in the India cricket schedule.

At 30, Iyer showcased superb consistency in IPL 2025, where he guided Punjab Kings to their first final in 11 years and amassed over 600 runs during the season. Batting at No. 3, he dominated attacks with a strike rate above 175, making his exclusion from the continental tournament even more surprising. According to Panesar, the decision may have hinged on team dynamics. He suggested that India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir would prefer working with younger players, who may be easier to mould, leaving Iyer sidelined despite his credentials.

“One of the reasons Shreyas Iyer is probably struggling to get into the Indian squad is because he brings those leadership skills and, at the moment, possibly they've got that covered," Panesar said.  “It gives them an opportunity to bring in someone younger, a bit more exciting to play, who would be easier to manage for coach Gautam Gambhir,” he added.

This isn’t Iyer’s first brush with leadership success either. Before spearheading Punjab’s memorable IPL 2025 run, he captained Kolkata Knight Riders to their third title in 2024. Over the past two years, he has delivered consistently in white-ball cricket, also playing a pivotal role in India’s Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year.

The former England player highlighted that Iyer's strong credentials as an IPL captain hurt his chances of selection in the India squad. That said, Panesar praised the middle-order batter's talent, calling it "unbelievable." Moreover, the former spinner also brought up India's strong bench strength, noting that the set-up could produce two or even three teams capable of competing with the best in the world.

"I think he being the captain in IPL makes it a bit difficult for him to get into that team. But I do believe, if he keeps scoring runs, he should be playing. But it's just the talent, the talent is unbelievable,” Panesar said. "I think India has never been so blessed and lucky that they can pull out probably 2 to 3 teams right now and compete against the world,” Panesar added.