Gautam Gambhir Breaks Silence on Shreyas Iyer’s Omission From India’s England Test Squad
The Indian cricket team is gearing up for a high-stakes five-match Test series against England, starting June 20. However, the squad announcement has sparked mixed reactions. The biggest surprise has been the exclusion of middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer from the 18-member squad.
Iyer has been in good form lately. He even led Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 playoffs. Many fans and experts thought he would make the Test squad. His absence has raised questions about the selectors and even head coach Gautam Gambhir.
India’s Squad for England Tour 2025
The team is led by Shubman Gill, with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain and wicketkeeper. The squad blends experience with young talent:
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Rishabh Pant (vc, wk)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Sai Sudarshan
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
- Karun Nair
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Dhruv Jurel
- Washington Sundar
- Shardul Thakur
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Akash Deep
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
While many praised the squad’s depth, Iyer’s absence stole the spotlight.
Gautam Gambhir’s Response
At a press interaction on May 28, Gambhir was asked about Iyer’s exclusion. He gave a short and careful reply. “I am not a selector,” he said. Then he quickly moved on to talk about the BCCI’s invitation to the armed forces for the IPL final in Ahmedabad.
His answer suggested the decision was purely the selectors’ call, led by Ajit Agarkar. This response has led to speculation about possible disagreements between Gambhir and the selectors.
Ajit Agarkar Explains
After the announcement, chief selector Agarkar explained the choice. He said, “Shreyas had a good one-day series and played well domestically. But right now, there is no room for him in Test cricket.”
This shows that despite Iyer’s good form in shorter formats, the selectors felt he wasn’t the right fit for the Test squad. Perhaps his red-ball form or competition in the middle order played a role.
Shreyas Iyer’s Test Record
Let’s look at Iyer’s Test numbers so far:
- Matches: 24
- Runs: 811
- Highest Score: 105
- Fifties/Hundreds: 5/1
- Average: 36.86
- Strike Rate: 63.01
- Fours/Sixes: 94/16
His stats are decent but not outstanding. With India’s strong batting depth, his spot isn’t guaranteed.
India vs England Test Schedule
The much-awaited series will take place at iconic English venues:
- June 20–24: Headingley, Leeds
- July 2–6: Edgbaston, Birmingham
- July 10–14: Lord’s, London
- July 23–27: Old Trafford, Manchester
- July 31–Aug 4: The Oval, London
All matches start at 3:30 PM IST.
Fans React to Iyer’s Exclusion
Reactions on social media have been mixed. Some fans felt Iyer’s inconsistent Test record justified his exclusion. Others believed his recent IPL form and past Test performances should have earned him a place.
Speculation also arose about politics or personal bias. Gambhir’s vague response added fuel to these rumors.
What’s Next for Iyer?
This setback doesn’t mean the end of Iyer’s Test career. The selectors have always stressed the importance of domestic performances. With injuries and form changes, he might still get a chance later this year.
A New Era for Indian Test Cricket?
The upcoming series promises exciting cricket and fierce competition. While all eyes are on the players selected, Iyer and others left out remain part of the conversation.
With Gambhir leading a young squad, the series could mark a new chapter for Indian Test cricket. Fans will be watching closely when the first match begins on June 20 at Headingley.
check complete match schedule and venue details for India vs England five-match
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