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Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir offered a terse response when pressed about the omission of in-form batter Shreyas Iyer from the Test squad for the upcoming tour of England. His blunt remark has amplified the ongoing debate over selection decisions as the national team heads into a significant transition phase.
No place for Shreyas Iyer in India’s Test squad once again
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced an 18-member squad for the five-match Test series in England, set to begin on June 20 in Leeds. Notably, Shubman Gill will lead the side as captain, with Rishabh Pant named as vice-captain, signaling a generational shift in Indian cricket. The squad also marks the return of Karun Nair after eight years, while promising talents like Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh have earned maiden Test call-ups.
However, the absence of Shreyas Iyer, who has been in scintillating form across formats, has drawn widespread attention. Iyer recently led the Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 playoffs, amassing 514 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 171.90 and an average of 51.40. He also played a pivotal role in India’s Champions Trophy victory, finishing as the team’s second-highest run-scorer, and enjoyed a prolific Ranji Trophy season with 480 runs in seven innings at an average of 68.57.
Despite these achievements, Iyer’s name was missing from the Test squad.
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Gautam Gambhir makes a blunt remark on Shreyas Iyer’s omission
When questioned about this decision at a media interaction, Gambhir responded sharply, “Mai selector nahi hoon [I am not the selector],” underscoring that the responsibility for player selection rests solely with the selection committee. He declined to elaborate further, effectively distancing himself from the controversy.
Earlier, chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the rationale behind Iyer’s exclusion, stating, “Shreyas had a good one-day series, played well in domestic as well but right now there’s no room in Test cricket.” Agarkar’s comments suggest that despite Iyer’s white-ball and domestic success, the current Test team composition and strategy left no place for him.
Iyer’s omission has sparked debate among fans and former cricketers, many of whom believe his recent performances warranted a recall to the Test side. The decision also highlights the selectors’ intent to balance youth and experience as India embarks on a new era under Gill’s leadership.
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