Staff India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir provided a terse response when pressed in regards to the omission of in-form batter Shreyas Iyer from the Take a look at squad for the upcoming tour of England. His blunt comment has amplified the continued debate over choice selections because the nationwide group heads into a big transition section.
No place for Shreyas Iyer in India’s Take a look at squad as soon as once more
The Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) just lately introduced an 18-member squad for the five-match Take a look at collection in England, set to start on June 20 in Leeds. Notably, Shubman Gill will lead the facet as captain, with Rishabh Pant named as vice-captain, signaling a generational shift in Indian cricket. The squad additionally marks the return of Karun Nair after eight years, whereas promising abilities like Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh have earned maiden Take a look at call-ups.
Nonetheless, the absence of Shreyas Iyer, who has been in scintillating kind throughout codecs, has drawn widespread consideration. Iyer just lately led the Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 playoffs, amassing 514 runs in 14 matches at a strike fee of 171.90 and a mean of 51.40. He additionally performed a pivotal position in India’s Champions Trophy victory, ending because the group’s second-highest run-scorer, and loved a prolific Ranji Trophy season with 480 runs in seven innings at a mean of 68.57.
Regardless of these achievements, Iyer’s identify was lacking from the Take a look at squad.
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Gautam Gambhir makes a blunt comment on Shreyas Iyer’s omission
When questioned about this choice at a media interplay, Gambhir responded sharply, “Mai selector nahi hoon [I am not the selector],” underscoring that the accountability for participant choice rests solely with the choice committee. He declined to elaborate additional, successfully distancing himself from the controversy.
Earlier, chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the rationale behind Iyer’s exclusion, stating, “Shreyas had a great one-day collection, performed nicely in home as nicely however proper now there’s no room in Take a look at cricket.” Agarkar’s feedback counsel that regardless of Iyer’s white-ball and home success, the present Take a look at group composition and technique left no place for him.
Iyer’s omission has sparked debate amongst followers and former cricketers, a lot of whom imagine his latest performances warranted a recall to the Take a look at facet. The choice additionally highlights the selectors’ intent to steadiness youth and expertise as India embarks on a brand new period underneath Gill’s management.
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