Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has expressed his surprise at Shreyas Iyer’s omission from the Asia Cup squad. Iyer was not even included in the stand-by players’ list, let alone be part of the main 15-man main squad.

Iyer scored 604 runs in 17 matches at an average of 50.33 and a blistering strike rate of 175.07. Ergo, he played an instrumental role in taking PBKS to the final of the tournament but he was overlooked by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel. 

Furthermore, Iyer had scored 243 runs in five matches of the Champions Trophy 2025 and had played a key role in taking the team to glory.

Ganguly said he is taken aback whenever he doesn’t find Iyer in the white-ball team. The former skipper said the Mumbai batter deserved a place in the team ahead of Jitesh Sharma and Rinku Singh.

“I am surprised not to see Iyer in the Asia Cup squad. Whenever I don’t see him in a white-ball squad, I am taken aback. He has played such brilliant innings in the IPL and has been a great captain,” Ganguly said while speaking to Anandabazar Patrika. 

“You cannot omit Iyer from white-ball teams. He deserves a spot ahead of Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma. We have Sanju Samson as the wicketkeeper, so why would we still not bring in Iyer?” Ganguly threw a question for his former teammate Ajit Agarkar.

Iyer has been a consistent performer for India in the white-ball format and his omission is certainly baffling for a lot of cricket boffins. 

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, while announcing India’s squad for the Asia Cup, said of Iyer, “With regards to Shreyas, not his fault, nor is it ours. It’s just that you can pick 15 and at the moment you’ll have to wait for his chance.”

India will take on Pakistan on Sunday in the Asia Cup.