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Key Points

Former leg-spinner Amit Mishra believes Shreyas Iyer's Asia Cup exclusion was tactical rather than form-based. He explains that team management preferred maintaining left-right combinations in the middle order. Despite Iyer's outstanding IPL performance with 604 runs, the tactical framework worked against his inclusion. Mishra remains confident that Iyer will make his comeback in future series.

Key Points: Amit Mishra Explains Shreyas Iyer Asia Cup Snub Over Left-Right Combo

  • Mishra says team management prioritized left-right batting combination
  • Iyer excluded despite 604-run IPL season at 50-plus average
  • Former spinner confident Iyer will return to national team
  • Snub triggered outrage among fans and former cricketers
2 min read

Got stuck in left-right combination: Former spinner Amit Mishra decodes Shreyas Iyer's absence from Asia Cup

Former spinner Amit Mishra reveals why Shreyas Iyer was excluded from India's Asia Cup squad despite strong IPL form, citing tactical left-right combination needs.

"I think Shreyas got stuck in the lefty-righty combination - Amit Mishra"

New Delhi, September 9

Former leg-spinner Amit Mishra believes Shreyas Iyer's perplexing snub from India's Asia Cup squad was driven by the tactical ploy of maintaining a right and left combination in the middle order in the batting unit.

Since being dropped from the BCCI's central contract list for 2024, Shreyas has dazzled on the field. Armed with his prolific form, he led Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final, the franchise's first in the last decade.

After a terrific 604-run season at 50-plus average in the cash-rich league, Shreyas made a compelling case for himself to be one of the names to pop up on the 15-member list. He was bypassed from the Indian team and even from the travelling reserves, triggering outrage among fans and former cricketers.

While former cricketers and fans have questioned the management's choice, Mishra identified a tactical framework that worked against Iyer's inclusion in the squad. Since the 30-year-old features in the number three or four spot, the urge to maintain the left-right combination conspired against Iyer, according to Mishra.

"I think Shreyas bats at number three or four; the team management would have thought that the combination between lefty and righty would have been better. The Asia Cup is a long tournament. I think Shreyas got stuck in the lefty-righty combination," Mishra said while speaking exclusively to ANI.

Even after being axed from the highly anticipated tournament, Mishra is 100 per cent assured about Iyer's return in future. Mishra sees there are plenty of series where Iyer can prove his mettle and earn his spot back in the team.

"There are many upcoming series. He has a lot of time. I'm 100 per cent sure that he will return. Maybe that's why he is not in the team. I don't think he is out of the team because of his form. New players need chances. I think he will come back in the future. I think he will make his place," he added.

Team India squad for Asia Cup: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh. Reserve players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
IPL final performance, 600+ runs, and still not selected? This is really disappointing. Shreyas deserved his spot based on current form. Hope he comes back stronger 💪
A
Aman W
Team balance is important, but form should be the primary criteria. Shreyas was in red-hot form while some others in the squad haven't been consistent. Selectors need to rethink their priorities.
S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan, I'm confused. If left-right combination was so important, why not drop someone else? Shreyas has proven himself in pressure situations. This decision doesn't sit right with me.
V
Vikram M
Amit Mishra's analysis makes sense. In modern cricket, teams plan for specific matchups. Maybe they want to test different combinations before World Cup. Shreyas will definitely be back! 🇮🇳
K
Karthik V
Respectfully disagree with the selection. When a player is performing so well, you find a way to include him. Left-right combo shouldn't override pure talent and current form. Hope selectors reconsider for future tournaments.

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