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Despite an impressive stretch of form across formats and an impactful domestic season, Shreyas Iyer’s absence from the Indian Test squad for the England tour was a decision that former India opener and cricket analyst Aakash Chopra believes was inevitable. According to Chopra, there was simply “no room whatsoever” for Iyer in the current Test set-up.
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A Controversial Omission, But Logical to Some
When the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced an 18-member Test squad for the England tour in late May 2025, many were taken aback by Iyer’s absence. After all, the 30-year-old Mumbai batter had been in exceptional form: a dominant IPL 2025 season where he scored 604 runs at a 50-plus average and a strike rate of 175.07, including 39 sixes, had led Punjab Kings to a runners-up finish. Not to mention, he had also enjoyed a consistent run in domestic red-ball cricket, with 699 runs across nine First-Class matches, including an Irani Cup title with two centuries and three half-centuries.
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Strong Competition, No Vacancies
India’s Test squad is currently brimming with top-order talent. During the recent Headingley Test, the batting line-up delivered a historic performance, with five centuries scored by Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and even the captain himself. The return of Karun Nair and the introduction of Sai Sudharsan have further deepened the pool of players vying for middle-order and top-order roles.
“If you think about it,” Chopra elaborated, “Karun Nair has played just now. Sarfaraz Khan is not being given the chances. Dhruv Jurel is sitting outside. The players who are already there—if they aren’t getting the chances—then how can Shreyas Iyer get a look in?”
The question, then, isn’t whether Iyer is talented enough to make the Test squad, but whether there’s room for him amidst a high-performing unit. Even Sarfaraz Khan—often hailed as one of India’s most consistent performers in the Ranji Trophy over recent seasons—is yet to cement a regular place in the XI.
Agarkar’s View: No Room for Now
India’s chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, was asked about Iyer’s absence during the squad announcement in Mumbai, and his response aligned with Chopra’s perspective.
“Yes, Shreyas Iyer has played well in domestic cricket,” Agarkar acknowledged. “But at the moment, there is no room for him on the Test Team.”
This candid admission laid bare the core of the matter. It’s not a question of form or ability—it’s a question of timing and opportunity. And right now, neither is in Iyer’s favour.
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Red-Ball Resume vs Team Needs
Iyer’s red-ball credentials are respectable, albeit not extraordinary. Since his Test debut in 2021, he has played 13 Tests, scoring 707 runs at an average of 35.35. While he showed early promise with a century on debut against New Zealand, his inconsistency, coupled with recurring back issues, has often placed him behind in the pecking order.
In contrast, newer names like Yashasvi Jaiswal have solidified their places with fearless consistency. Pant and Rahul are proven match-winners, and Gill has found his rhythm as the captain and one of India’s most reliable Test batters.
Even in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season, although Iyer played a key role in Mumbai’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph and made solid contributions in red-ball cricket, others outshone him in terms of volume and impact. Sarfaraz Khan, for instance, finished with 925 runs in just eight matches, while Rinku Singh and Sai Sudharsan made compelling arguments through their consistent domestic outings.
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The Weight of IPL Form
While Iyer’s performance in IPL 2025 turned heads—particularly his astonishing strike rate and clutch finishes for Punjab Kings—selectors have long maintained a clear distinction between white-ball and red-ball selection criteria. A glorious T20 season does not automatically translate to Test cricket readiness, especially in English conditions, where technique, patience, and adaptability take precedence over flair.
“A good IPL doesn’t guarantee a Test berth,” Chopra reiterated. “He did well in white-ball cricket, but his time will come. He will have to wait just a little bit.”
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Patience Is the Only Way Forward
The message is clear: Shreyas Iyer remains in contention, but the timing must align with opportunity. His next steps will likely involve maintaining form in the domestic circuit, seizing chances in India A tours, and being ready to step in should an injury or a drop in form create an opening.
Meanwhile, selectors appear content to explore their wealth of talent. Dhruv Jurel is being groomed as a long-term wicketkeeper-batter, while Sarfaraz and Nair remain on the radar. The likes of Rajat Patidar and Tilak Varma are also in the wings, adding to the healthy competition.
Conclusion: No Doors Closed, But No Shortcuts Either
The case of Shreyas Iyer is a compelling example of Indian cricket’s current depth. A batter of his calibre, with a track record in both domestic and international cricket, is still finding it hard to break into the Test side—not because of a lack of ability, but due to the sheer abundance of talent and the excellent form of incumbents.
As Aakash Chopra and Ajit Agarkar both emphasized, Iyer’s absence is not an indictment of his skill but a reflection of India’s current team balance and strategy. With time, continued performance, and perhaps a touch of luck, Shreyas Iyer’s Test ambitions may yet find fulfillment. But for now, the message is unmistakable—India’s Test squad, particularly for the demanding English tour, is a fortress not easily breached.
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