In IPL 2025, Shreyas Iyer's exceptional form, dominance against spin in the middle overs, and composure under pressure make him a prime candidate for Team India in the UAE-hosted Asia Cup.
Shreyas Iyer's journey in recent years has been a testament to his ability to prove critics wrong. Initially, the 'short-ball theory' was attached to his name, but Iyer dismantled that myth during the 2023 World Cup with his bat and confidence. Amidst discussions of Virat Kohli's run-machine avatar and Rohit Sharma's selfless captaincy, this Mumbai batsman quietly amassed 530 runs in 11 matches.
Then came another setback...
During the England Test series, Iyer was dropped from the team. However, making a remarkable comeback, he led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the IPL title in 2024. Despite not being retained by KKR, Shreyas set out to prove himself once more.
In the Champions Trophy, Shreyas emerged as India's top scorer, amassing 243 runs in 5 matches. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra praised Iyer for exerting pressure on the opposition and providing relief to the batsman at the other end.
Exploding at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Iyer showcased his prowess even in the shortest format, scoring 345 runs in 9 matches at an incredible strike rate of 188.52.
Source: aajtak
IPL 2025 – A Turning Point in Career
Often considered unsuitable for T20 cricket, this Mumbai batsman took on an aggressive role leading Punjab Kings (PBKS). Over 17 matches, he scored 604 runs with a strike rate of 175.07, including 6 half-centuries. Although PBKS didn’t clinch the title, Iyer demonstrated that he could be a formidable force in T20 cricket.
Aakash Chopra believes that if IPL performances are the criteria for selection in the Indian T20 team, Iyer should certainly be included in the Asia Cup squad.
The UAE Pitches and Shreyas's Strength
The Asia Cup is set to be held in the UAE, where pitches favor slow bowlers and spinners. In IPL 2025, against such odds, Iyer scored 171 runs in middle overs against spin, maintaining an average of 85.5 and a strike rate of 154.05.
His main competitor Tilak Varma scored 246 runs, yet with a lower strike rate of 131.55, particularly dropping to 121.84 against spin.
‘Finisher’ Shreyas
Iyer's most significant achievement in IPL 2025 was his ability to finish matches. Against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk, he hit 72 runs off 41 balls, bringing a victory to PBKS.
Following that, in Qualifier-2 against Mumbai Indians, he struck an unbeaten 87, advancing PBKS to the finals. In both instances, he demonstrated his capacity to chase targets under pressure.
The Battle for Team India Spot
India's T20 strategy now thrives on aggressive batting. Last year, the team scored their second highest against Bangladesh and defeated South Africa and England. Hence, a composed yet quick scorer is vital in the middle order. Suryakumar Yadav is firm at number 4, but the real fight for number 3 is between Tilak Varma and Shreyas Iyer, with Iyer leading the claim strongly.
