Dark horse no more: Why Shreyas Iyer deserves a fair look for Asia Cup selection

Shreyas Iyer is a name that commands respect in Indian cricket. His journey has been all about proving the doubters wrong, and he does it every single time. It all started with the short-ball theory, which he crushed effortlessly during the ODI World Cup 2023. While the spotlight shone on Virat Kohli’s consistency and Rohit Sharma’s selfless captaincy, Shreyas quietly racked up 530 runs in 11 matches, letting the scoreboard do all the talking. No noise, no fuss—just pure, ruthless batting. But Shreyas’ story isn’t just about piling up runs. The England Test series came and went, and he found himself out of the Indian setup once again. Most would crumble. Not him. He bounced back by leading KKR to the IPL 2024 title, proving yet again that he thrives under pressure. Even when Kolkata didn’t retain him, Shreyas took it in stride, turning every challenge into another opportunity to shine.

The Champions Trophy was his next canvas, and he painted it red. With 243 runs in five matches, he emerged as India’s fiercest batter in the middle overs. Aakash Chopra didn’t mince words: Shreyas was the one taking the attack to the opposition, hitting boundaries at will, and removing pressure from his partners. And in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, his strike rate of 188.52 with 345 runs in nine matches only cemented his reputation as a man who can dominate the shortest format.

IPL 2025? Absolute masterclass. Scoring 604 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 175.07 with six fifties, he led PBKS with aggression and poise, proving he is more than capable of finishing games under pressure. That knack for controlling run chases will be gold in the UAE, where pitches slow down and spinners rule. Against spin in IPL 2025, he averaged 85.5 with a strike rate of 154.05—a clear edge over his main competitor Tilak Varma, who struggled to match those numbers.

With Suryakumar Yadav firmly at No. 4, the No. 3 spot is Shreyas’ playground. Whether in the starting XI or the squad, he has built an undeniable case for a fair look at the Asia Cup. Calm under fire, explosive when needed, Shreyas Iyer is not just a middle-order batter; he is India’s secret weapon waiting to be unleashed.
**Thus news was published on India Today on 19th August, 2025.

 

Source Click