New Delhi: 

Iyer was ignored from the Test squad despite having enjoyed a prolific run across competitions in domestic and international cricket. The middle-order batter has also been in terrific form for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the ongoing IPL 2025 and is currently the leading run-getter for his franchise with 514 runs in 14 matches.

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir came up with a straightforward reply when asked about star batter Shreyas Iyer’s absence from the Test squad for the upcoming tour of England. Iyer was one of the notable exclusions as the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel announced India’s squad for the five-match Test series against England last week.

However, despite his good form, Iyer was snubbed from India’s 18-man squad as the selectors went with the likes of Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair in the squad. When asked about Iyer’s non-inclusion, India head coach Gautam Gambhir said he is not the selector, hinting that he was not the right person to be asked the question.

“I am not a selector,” Gambhir told speaking to reporters about Iyer’s exclusion from the Test squad.

Iyer ignored despite strong show

Iyer last featured in a Test match for India in February last year. He was dropped from the Test squad after a string of poor performances and injury issues. However, Iyer, who has 811 runs for India in 14 Tests, has since managed to stage a brilliant comeback with consistent performances in the domestic circuit.

Iyer was also the highest run-getter for India in the Champions Trophy 2025 earlier this year with 243 runs in 5 matches, playing an instrumental role in the team’s title triumph. He has continued his purple patch for Punjab Kings in the ongoing IPL 2025, but has been ignored from Tests despite his strong show across competitions.

Iyer has led Punjab Kings to the top-of-the-table finish in the IPL 2025 and will be hoping to guide them to their maiden title after leading KKR to their third IPL title last season. Punjab Kings will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their Qualifier 1 on Thursday. The winner will book a spot in the IPL 2025 final, while the loser will take on the winner of the Eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans in the second Qualifier.

He scored 452 runs for Mumbai in five matches in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 with an excellent average of 90.22, including two centuries. Iyer scored 325 runs, including two tons in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and was the second-highest run-getter for Mumbai in the Syed Muhstaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 with 345 runs at a strike rate of 188.52 to help his team win the title.

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