Veteran first bowler Ishant Sharma has issued a big statement regarding the exclusion of Shreyasaiah from the Indian team at the ongoing Asian Cup 2025 (UAE) in the United Arab Emirates. Pacer said the selectors face the impossible task of everyone being able to fit into a team of 15, while fans have their favorites.
Ishant averaged 32.40 and scored 311 wickets from 105 Tests. He is the second-highest wicket taker among Indian payers in Test cricket. The pacer was also featured in 80 ODIs, earning 115 wickets. He last acted during the IPL 2025 of the Gujarat Titans (GT) and won four wickets in seven matches.
Shreiyas Ayer isn’t a player in his class – Ishant Sharma
Speaking to Raj Shamani’s YouTube channel, Ishant Sharma said that Shrayas Iyer is a class player, but it’s difficult to decide who to replace him. Ishant jokingly, don’t overlook a name worthy of it, as ICC needs to allow the team to expand to 20 players.
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“Let’s increase the squad size from 15 to 20 as we tell the ICC that we have so many players. Yes, as an individual, you’re a fan, but I’m the least grateful to be a selector.
The true words by Ishant Sharma are that players who are not selected are considered good, and those who are chosen are considered bad.
Schreyja Eyer fans were furious at his unselection in the Asian Cup, but never pointed out the right player. They were right after the gills. pic.twitter.com/0edezaduxc-Lapulga (@Lapulga_11) September 23, 2025
Shreiyas Iyer’s Indian performance across international cricket
Shrayas Iyer, who made his T20I debut in 2017, last performed in the format in 2023, winning 53 out of 37 balls. He averaged 30.66 on the 51 T20I and 1,104 runs on a strike rate of 136.12, including the ’80s.
The midfield batter has entered the sensational IPL 2025 season with the King of Punjab (PBK). He averaged 50.33 and recorded a strike rate of 604 runs in 17 innings and 175.07. Iyer advanced to the PBK to the finals in his first year as captain. He also led the Kolkata Knight Rider (KKR) to a title victory in 2024.
Iyer played 135 matches for India in international format. He averaged 4,760 runs on an average of 40.68, including 35 years and the 6th century.
Shreiyas Iyer breaks out of Windy’s Test after resigning as captain as India
According to an Indian Express report, Schreyersiaer requested BCCI and chief selector Ajit Agarkar to rest from red ball cricket, including tests and first class matches. The 30-year-old batsman made the decision after withdrawing from the series against Australia A at Lucknow.
Iyer said he is struggling to handle long forms of pressure. The right-handed batter last tested for India in February 2024. He appeared in 14 games and averaged 811 runs on averaging 36.86, including a 1st century and a half-century of five.
The Mumbai batsman scored a low score in the Duleep trophy and managed only eight runs in last week’s India A match. The selectors were originally planning to use these games to prepare for their test comeback with the West Indies next month.
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