Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has emphasized the significance of Punjab Kings’ skipper Shreyas Iyer’s absence from India’s T20 squad and leadership circle, stating that it is a loss for the team rather than the player.
Iyer has not featured in India’s T20 team since December 2023 and was left out of the T20 World Cup-winning squads in 2024 and 2026.
Expressing his views on his YouTube channel, Ashwin asserted, “If a talented player like Shreyas Iyer is still not considered for the T20 side or leadership roles, it reflects India’s loss more than his own.”
Ashwin’s endorsement of Iyer’s return to T20 internationals follows Iyer’s outstanding performance against Mumbai Indians, where he played a crucial role in Punjab Kings’ victory by scoring 66 runs off just 35 balls.
Despite being consistently impressive in domestic cricket, leading Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title in 2024 and clinching the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with Mumbai, Iyer’s exclusion from the national squad has been a point of contention.
Ashwin highlighted that Iyer has transformed his frustration from being overlooked into motivation, propelling his game to new heights.
Emphasizing Iyer’s growth, Ashwin remarked, “Shreyas has shown remarkable improvement by enhancing his strike rate significantly. His ability to handle short deliveries effectively has been particularly commendable, making bowlers rethink their strategies against him.”
Iyer’s exceptional form, amassing 203 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 187.96, has been instrumental in Punjab Kings’ unbeaten run in the ongoing IPL season.
The batsman’s next challenge will be against Lucknow Super Giants on April 19 in New Chandigarh.