Consistently Overlooked: Shreyas Iyer’s Snubbed Runs, Stellar Form, and BCCI’s Unfair Game

The Saga of Snubs and Stellar Performance

Shreyas Iyer has delivered consistently high-caliber performances across IPL seasons, domestic championships, and even ICC tournaments—no small feat for any cricketer. In IPL 2025, he amassed a remarkable 604 runs at a strike rate of 175.07, guiding Punjab Kings to the final. Earlier, he captained Kolkata Knight Riders to IPL glory in 2024, reinforcing his leadership as well as batting credentials.

Despite these strong showings, Iyer was not selected for India’s squads in major ICC competitions:

• T20 World Cup 2021: Omitted

• T20 World Cup 2022: Omitted

• T20 World Cup 2024: Omitted despite IPL success

• Asia Cup 2025: Excluded—not in the main squad, nor even among the standbys.

The 2025 Asia Cup Snub and Fallout

The Asia Cup 2025 omission triggered sharp criticism:

• Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin publicly questioned the decision, pointing to Iyer’s IPL form and leadership credentials.

• Abhishek Nayar, former India assistant coach, was blunt: “Maybe Shreyas Iyer is not liked as much as someone else.”

• Salil Ankola, ex-selector, called it “surprising and shocking” that a performer of his caliber wasn’t even named among standbys.

Selectors, however, maintained that this wasn’t about performance or favoritism. Lead selector Ajit Agarkar stated, “Only 15 can be picked… he’ll have to wait for his chance.”. A BCCI source added that a seasoned player like Iyer “can’t be named in the reserves,” implying that inclusion would imply a guaranteed playing spot.

Meanwhile, the BCCI finally reinstated Iyer to the central contract list in early 2025 after prior exclusion due to missing domestic games and a back injury; he was rewarded with a Grade B contract following his status as India’s top run-scorer in the Champions Trophy

Underlying Frictions and Persistent Debates

At the heart of the controversy is a broader critique:

• After the 2023 World Cup, despite finishing as India’s third-highest run-scorer (530 runs, average 66.25), Iyer was dropped from the BCCI’s contracts—reportedly for prioritizing IPL over domestic cricket.

• Fans and experts accused the BCCI of double standards, contrasting Iyer’s omission with the contract given to Hardik Pandya despite the latter mostly featuring in IPL and ICC events.

• Mohammed Kaif highlighted the inconsistency: while IPL form helped some players earn Test spots, Iyer—despite stellar exploits—was overlooked.

• A broader systemic issue has also been flagged: critics point out that IPL performances often take precedence over domestic cricket in selection decisions, undermining stalwarts who shine in Ranji Trophy and other traditional tournaments.

Verdict: Unfair by the Numbers

Shreyas Iyer’s relentless form and leadership consistency contrast sharply against repeated snubs from major tournament lineups and inconsistent treatment from the BCCI. The floor of IPL excellence has apparently not guaranteed his selection in national white-ball squads—a disconnect that continues to stir debate within cricketing circles.

Let me know if you'd like a deeper dive into non-selection controversies for other players or a detailed timeline highlighting his domestic vs. international performance milestones