India’s decision to leave out Shreyas Iyer from the upcoming Test series in England continues to stir debate — and now, former captain Sourav Ganguly has added his voice to the growing chorus of disapproval.
In a candid interview with Revsportz, Ganguly minced no words. “Shreyas has been outstanding over the past year. He’s scoring under pressure, handling the short ball, and taking responsibility.
Test cricket is different, yes, but I would’ve picked him — just to see what he brings to the red-ball format,” he said, echoing the sentiment of many puzzled by the selectors’ move.
With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma opting out of the England tour, Iyer’s omission feels even more glaring. A proven middle-order batter with a track record across formats, Iyer seemed a natural inclusion, especially given his recent performances.
Numbers That Speak Volumes
Once criticised for his struggles against the short ball, particularly on India’s last tour of England, yer have since turned that narrative around. His recent domestic and international form shows a cricketer reborn.
In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, he scored 480 runs at an average of 68.57, playing a key role in Mumbai’s triumphant campaign that included victories in the Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Internationally, Iyer topped the scoring charts for India in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 victory, underlining his credentials in high-stakes matches.
The IPL added another feather to his cap. As captain of the Punjab Kings, he led the franchise to their first final in over a decade, scoring 604 runs in 17 games at a strike rate of 175 — the highest among the top 10 in the Orange Cap race.
Yet, despite his prolific form and leadership credentials, Iyer finds himself watching from the sidelines.
Selectors Unconvinced
According to media reports, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel didn’t even consider Iyer’s name seriously, citing concerns about his adaptability in red-ball cricket — a view that has left many former cricketers and fans baffled.
Currently, Iyer is captaining the Mumbai Falcons in the Mumbai League 2025, with his team already securing a place in the final — another testament to his winning mentality.
India’s Test Setup in Flux
With Kohli and Rohit out, Shubman Gill takes over as captain and Rishabh Pant as vice-captain for the England tour — a series expected to test India’s batting depth in swing-friendly conditions.
India is likely to try out combinations involving Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, or seam-bowling all-rounders like Shardul Thakur or Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Ganguly believes the new-look team still stands a good chance. “We won in Australia with a young side, no Kohli, no Rohit. So why not in England? The key is batting well and keeping Jasprit Bumrah fit,” he said.
He also offered measured support to Gill’s captaincy, while acknowledging the challenges ahead: “Shubman’s a top-order player — he’ll be tested. It won’t be easy.
The ball will swing, it will seem. There will be times when India is 10 for 2, and he’ll need to step up. This series will define his maturity as a leader and a batsman.”
A Star on the Outside
For Shreyas Iyer, the exclusion stings — not just for what it says about selection policy, but for what it denies him: a chance to prove himself in one of the toughest formats, in the toughest conditions.
From leading Mumbai to multiple trophies, conquering short-ball demons, to guiding Punjab to an IPL final, Iyer has checked every box — but somehow, still not the one marked “Test cricket”.
For now, he’ll watch India’s England challenge unfold from the outside — a star performer sidelined in the game’s longest format, still waiting for his shot at red-ball redemption.
