Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has voiced strong disapproval over the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer from India’s Test squad for the England tour, calling it a mistake given the batter’s exceptional form across formats.
Despite a strong run in the 2023 World Cup, the 2025 Champions Trophy, and the 2025 IPL, where Iyer scored 604 runs at a strike rate of 175, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee left him out of the red-ball squad citing concerns over his technique in Test cricket.
“He Isn’t a Player to Be Left Out”: Ganguly on Iyer
“Shreyas Iyer has been playing at his best. He’s scoring under pressure, taking responsibility, and playing the short ball well. I would’ve had him in this team to see what he can do,” Ganguly said in an interview with RevSportz.
Ganguly, who worked closely with Iyer during his stint as Director of Cricket at Delhi Capitals, remains a vocal supporter of the batter’s leadership and consistency.
Selectors Unmoved by Iyer’s Form Across Formats
Despite leading KKR to the IPL title in 2024 and PBKS to their first final in 11 years in 2025, the selectors reportedly had minimal discussion on Iyer’s Test future, citing concerns about his red-ball credentials and past struggles against short-pitched bowling.
Yet, Iyer’s recent domestic red-ball form and adaptability have impressed many, including Ganguly, who believes he deserved a shot—especially in the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Ganguly Backs India to Win in England
“We won in Australia without Kohli and Rohit. We can win in England too. All we need is good batting and a fit [Jasprit] Bumrah,” Ganguly added.
With Shubman Gill leading the side and Rishabh Pant as vice-captain, the Test series will test the new-look Indian middle-order, possibly including Sai Sudharsan or Karun Nair alongside all-rounder options like Nitish Reddy or Shardul Thakur.
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