Dinesh Karthik Calls Out BCCI for ‘Unfair’ Shreyas Iyer Snub
Dinesh Karthik called the Asia Cup squad 'strong', but he maintained that Shreyas Iyer was unfairly left out and should have been selected.

Dinesh Karthik slammed the selectors for not including Shreyas Iyer in India's Asia Cup squad. (Image via BCCI/Instagram)
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Former India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik has criticized the BCCI and selectors for excluding Shreyas Iyer from the T20I squad for the upcoming 2025 Asia Cup. Karthik described the snub as ‘unfair,’ stating that it cast uncertainty over Iyer’s future with the national team.
Shreyas Iyer’s omission from the Asia Cup squad has sparked a heated debate, with fans and former players criticizing the BCCI selection committee and chief selector Ajit Agarkar for ignoring Iyer’s strong IPL performance. When the 15-member squad for the Asia Cup was announced earlier this week, Agarkar had explained Iyer’s absence by stating that the selectors had to choose from a vast pool of players.
Agarkar’s clarification did not sit well with many former players, including Dinesh Karthik, K. Srikkanth and Brad Haddin, who criticized the BCCI for dropping Iyer. While Haddin had previously expressed his expectation that Shreyas Iyer would captain India in the 2025 Asia Cup, Karthik was more focused on the player’s complete omission, arguing that he should have at least been included in the reserve players’ list.
In a video shared on his Instagram page, the ex-India keeper expressed his understanding of Iyer’s exclusion from the final 15 in order to ensure continuity, noting that the India T20I side has performed exceptionally well in his absence over the past year. However, Karthik questioned the decision to not include the middle-order batter in the final 20-player list, raising concerns about his future and the team’s plans for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Where is Shreyas Iyer? To a point, it’s understandable. He wasn’t part of the 15, considering how well Team India has done. But not making him part of the other five players, which you have earmarked for the near future, with the T20 World Cup in mind?
Dinesh Karthik said
Karthik further questioned if the BCCI is deliberately trying to shut the door on Iyer’s T20I career. He called the decision from the selectors and team management unfair, especially considering Iyer’s qualities as an excellent leader and a top-notch batter. Although Iyer was left out of the T20I squad, he is still a key player in India’s ODI team, with recent rumors emerging that he is being considered for a future captaincy role.
Closing doors on him [Shreyas Iyer]? That’s a bit unfair, and I hope it doesn’t happen because he has done outstandingly well as a leader, but even better as a batter under pressure.
Shreyas Iyer has a proven track record as a match-winner, highlighted by his heroic performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where he was the second-highest run-scorer with 243 runs. His success continued in the 2025 IPL season, as he led Punjab Kings to the final. Iyer endured a great season with the bat, finishing as the sixth-highest run-getter with 604 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 175.07.
With his impressive numbers, Shreyas Iyer has proven his worth, and it remains to be seen how the team performs without him in the upcoming Asia Cup. India, placed in Group A with Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, will kick off their campaign on September 10 against the UAE in Dubai.
Ross Taylor Suggests Shreyas Iyer’s Omission Shows India’s Squad Depth
Former New Zealand batting legend Ross Taylor commented on India’s unparalleled squad depth in T20Is after the recent announcement of their 15-member Asia Cup squad. Taylor suggested that the vast pool of talent meant a player of Shreyas Iyer’s caliber was left out.

Speaking on the sidelines of the CLT10 League event, the 41-year-old commented on Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from the Asia Cup squad, saying it demonstrates India’s immense confidence in its squad depth. Former Sri Lankan pacer Farveez Maharoof agreed, stating that the Indian team is ‘spoiled for choices’ and that both Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal did not deserve to be left out of the team.
I haven’t seen the [Indian] side yet so can’t say. When you can leave that type of quality [Shreyas Iyer] out, you’ve got to be pretty comfortable with the depth of your squad.
Ross Taylor said (H/T: Hindu)
Meanwhile, Taylor also had high praise for Shubman Gill, who is returning to the T20I squad as vice-captain following an impressive tour of England where he served as India’s new Test captain. Taylor noted that Gill showed excellent leadership and played with great spirit.