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The Indian cricketing fraternity is abuzz with controversy ahead of the much-anticipated England Test tour, as former India pacer Atul Wassan has taken a sharp dig at head coach Gautam Gambhir over the omission of Shreyas Iyer from the Test squad. The debate was ignited after Gambhir distanced himself from the selection decision, stating, “Main selector nahi hoon” (I am not the selector), when questioned about Iyer’s exclusion despite his impressive form.
Shreyas Iyer’s omission from India’s Test squad sparks debate
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. The squad announcement drew mixed reactions, but the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer – who has been in prolific touch in domestic cricket and the IPL – became a focal point of discussion. Iyer, who has scored over 500 runs in IPL 2025 and was among the top performers in the Ranji Trophy, was overlooked in favour of top-order batters like Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran.
Gautam Gambhir’s response and Atul Wassan’s critique
When pressed about Iyer’s omission, Gambhir gave a curt reply, emphasizing that he is not part of the selection panel. This response did not sit well with Atul Wassan, who, speaking on the “Bails and Banter” show, remarked, “He doesn’t select, he only rejects.” Wassan elaborated that while selectors have the final say, the head coach’s input is significant in squad selection. “The coach has a role in team selection, and selectors also listen to them before naming the squad,” Wassan asserted, highlighting the collaborative nature of the process.
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Wassan further defended Gambhir’s right to have strong opinions on squad composition, stating, “If he (Gambhir) has been given this position, then I think he deserves to go with his feeling, whether it’s right or wrong.”
The selectors’ decision to exclude Iyer was explained by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who acknowledged Iyer’s domestic performances but cited a lack of space in the current Test lineup. Additionally, Iyer’s modest record outside the subcontinent—averaging just 15 in three Tests abroad – may have influenced the decision.
Despite this, many believe Iyer’s recent form warranted a place in the squad, especially after the retirement of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma created vacancies in the middle order. Iyer’s supporters argue that his ability to play crucial knocks under pressure, both domestically and internationally, makes his omission puzzling.
