Shreyas Iyer gave up domestic captaincy for Asia Cup comeback opportunity: Reports

Shreyas Iyer's intriguing case is becoming more complicated as it was revealed that the top batter was anticipating and waiting for a call-up to the Indian squad for the 2025 Asia Cup. Shreyas Iyer, a right-handed batsman from Mumbai, was selected first to captain the West Zone in the forthcoming Duleep Trophy, which starts on August 28. The Times of India reported that the Indian cricket team's batter declined the opportunity to lead the West Zone in the Duleep Trophy. 

Shreyas was initially awarded the captaincy, but the selectors reportedly then gave it to Shardul Thakur for the zonal first-class tournament when he declined. "Yes, it's true Iyer turned down the offer from the West Zone selection committee to captain the team. After that, the chairman of the committee, Sanjay Patil, who is also the Mumbai chief selector, approached Thakur to lead West Zone, an opportunity that Thakur gladly accepted," a source told BCCI.

However, he was snubbed from the 15-man squad and did not even find a place on the list of reserves. Many former players have criticised the Ajit Agarkar-led committee for failing to include a player of Iyer's ability, and the decision to exclude the in-form batter continues to divide opinions.

According to the source, Shreyas had already started white-ball training with Pravin Amre in case he was called up to the Asia Cup squad. According to reports, he was working out at the Cricket Club of India and the MCA's BKC with his own coach. To his dismay, though, he was left off the squad.

In response to a question concerning Iyer's omission, head selector Ajit Agarkar stated that although the batter was not at fault, he had to wait for his opportunity because there was no one in the team he could replace.

Shreyas, who did not make the Indian squad, would have to play under Shardul's leadership. It is important to note that following Ajinkya Rahane's resignation, the star batter is said to have been passed over for the Mumbai captaincy in the Ranji Trophy. Shreyas is Mumbai's captain in white-ball cricket and led them to the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) last year.

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at BetBarter and download the BetBarter app to start betting today!