Asia Cup 2025 Squad: Shreyas Iyer Dropped, Gill Vice-Captain

The cricketing world is buzzing after the Asia Cup squad 2025 Shreyas Iyer dropped announcement shocked fans on Tuesday, August 19. While Suryakumar Yadav has been named captain, the BCCI has stirred controversy by leaving out star batter Shreyas Iyer and replacing Axar Patel with Shubman Gill as vice-captain. This has left many asking: is Team India politics overshadowing pure performance?

Shreyas Iyer left out as Shubham Gill named vice-captain in Asia Cup

Shreyas Iyer Dropped – The Shocking Snub

Shreyas Iyer’s omission from the 15-member squad has left fans stunned. His exclusion is especially surprising given his brilliant run in the IPL 2025, where he hammered 604 runs at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175, leading Punjab Kings to the final. Statistically, it was one of the best seasons in recent memory, even compared to legends like Chris Gayle (2011) and Suryakumar Yadav (2023).

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar tried to calm the noise, calling it “no fault of his” and blaming a “numbers crunch” in the middle order. But his explanation raised more questions than answers. To add fuel to the fire, Iyer wasn’t even included in the five standby players, where the likes of Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, and Yashasvi Jaiswal found a spot.

Fans Left Confused and Outraged

The selection has triggered massive debate both on and off social media. Ex-India staff under Gautam Gambhir reportedly felt “baffled” by Iyer’s omission. Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar admitted he “can’t fathom” the decision. Even World Cup winner Madan Lal expressed disbelief at leaving out Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was only listed as a reserve.

Former all-rounder R Ashwin added his voice, stating that Iyer “deserves to bat at No. 3” and calling him “unstoppable” in the IPL. Twitter, Instagram, and fan forums lit up with outrage, with many accusing the selectors of ignoring merit for internal politics.

Gill Over Axar – A Bold Call or Hidden Politics?

The other headline move was the appointment of Shubman Gill as vice-captain, pushing aside Axar Patel. Ajit Agarkar hailed Gill, saying he “has exceeded all expectations”. Captain Suryakumar Yadav also supported the decision, suggesting Gill is being groomed as a “future leader”.

Gill’s recent performances across formats certainly back up the decision, and Irfan Pathan even declared that the “Shubman Gill era has begun”. Still, many are questioning the sudden snub of Axar Patel, who had a strong IPL season leading Delhi Capitals.

Adding spice to the debate are whispers of friction between Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir, reportedly dating back to the IPL 2024 season. Whether true or not, such talk is only fueling perceptions that Team India’s selections are being shaped by politics, not just performance.

What This Means for Team India

The Asia Cup squad 2025 is seen as the trial run before the T20 World Cup. The 15-member team includes:

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, and Rinku Singh.

The balance shows two spinners, two frontline quicks, and multiple all-rounders. Gill’s elevation guarantees him a fixed XI spot, leaving intense competition for the remaining batting slots between Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, and Abhishek Sharma.

India open their Asia Cup campaign on September 10 against UAE in Dubai, followed by the blockbuster clash against Pakistan on September 14. With so much at stake, these bold calls will either silence the critics or deepen the storm.

Final Word

The Asia Cup squad 2025 announcement has done more than pick a team — it has lit a firestorm. Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion despite world-class form, and Gill’s sudden rise over Axar, are being viewed as more than just cricketing calls. Whether it’s long-term vision or politics behind closed doors, one thing is certain: all eyes will be on Team India when they take the field in Dubai.