Gautam Gambhir Speaks on Shreyas Iyer’s Omission from England Series

By Kavya Jain 29 May 2025, 07:29 IST

Indian national team’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has opened up about Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from the Test squad. Iyer was not selected in the 18-member squad for India’s England tour next month.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the 18-member squad for the upcoming series in England. Team India is set to play a five-match test series against England commencing June 20 in Leeds.

Gambhir on Iyer’s Omission

Shreyas Iyer, who recently led the Punjab Kings into the IPL playoffs, was not included in the team. Despite his great form in the IPL 2025, he failed to make the cut.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir opened up about Iyer’s omission from the test squad. He was asked about Iyer’s exclusion on Wednesday, to which he replied, “I am not a selector.” He then shifted the focus to a question about BCCI inviting the chiefs of the armed forces to attend the IPL 2025 final in Ahmedabad.

After Gambhir’s statement, it was speculated that he was indirectly pointing towards Team India chief selector Ajit Agarkar for the decision. Agarkar had earlier given an explanation for Iyer’ exclusion during a media interaction after the squad announcement in Mumbai last week.

“Shreyas had a good one-day series, played well in domestic as well, but right now there is no room (for him) in Test cricket,” Agarkar said.

Iyer Ignored Despite IPL Heroics

Iyer made his Test debut for India in Kanpur on November 25, 2021 against New Zealand. He scored a century in the first innings. He last appeared for India against England in Visakhapatnam last year. He has amassed 811 runs in 14 tests, with one century and five half-centuries in the red-ball format.

Also, Iyer has been in incredible form this IPL season. In 14 matches he has scored 514 runs and is PBKS’s leading run-scorer. Despite this, he was not considered for a place in India’s test team.

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