Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has been facing criticism for not including Shreyas Iyer in the Indian T20I squad announced for the Asia Cup 2025 on August 19. Iyer was not only dropped from the main squad but was also not included in the reserves.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection commitee included Shivam Dube in the squad despite the likes of Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel also included. In the reserves, Dhruv Jurel was added despite two keepers being part of the 15-member squad.
Fans have been criticising the management for discarding Iyer from selection and supported his recent performances for the Indian team. Iyer’s snub from the Asia Cup comes on the back of him taking Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final and scoring 604 runs in the 2025 IPL at a strike rate of 174. He also scored over 300 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at a strike rate of 188.
He Backs The Players He Likes - Ramesh Slams Gamhir
Shreyas Iyer has now also found backing from former Indian opener Sadagoppan Ramesh, who has criticised Gautam Gambhir for dropping him from the Asia Cup squad. The former Indian opener took to his YouTube channel to bust the myth regarding Gautam Gambhir being the key behind India’s Test series draw in England earlier this year. He reminded that India’s consistent success overseas had begun during the Virat Kohli–Ravi Shastri era.
"He backs the players he likes but completely lets go of those he doesn’t," Ramesh said. "Winning consistently abroad had started long back under Kohli and Shastri. But now, just the drawn series in England is being projected as a big achievement in Gambhir's track record."
Shreyas Iyer Was Biggest Reason For Champions Trophy Success - Sadgoppan Ramesh
He further hailed Shreyas Iyer’s contribution as the key behind India’s Champions Trophy title win in March earlier this year. Iyer scored 243 runs in five matches - the most by an Indian batter and was second overall in the run-getters list behind New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra (263).
"Gambhir's biggest achievement remains the Champions Trophy triumph, and Iyer was the biggest reason for that success. Yet, Gambhir is not backing him.Shreyas Iyer produced incredible performances in the same UAE during the Champions Trophy and should be a permanent fixture in India’s white-ball teams. Players must be backed when they are high on confidence and in form, not when they fade away. This is the ideal time to reap the rewards of Iyer's sky-high confidence” Ramesh concluded saying.
Also Read: Shreyas Iyer To Replace Rohit Sharma As Next ODI Captain: Reports
