The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced India men’s squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against Englandsparking widespread debate after the notable exclusion of Shreyas Iyer. Despite a stellar domestic season and impressive performances in limited-overs cricket, Iyer’s omission has left fans and analysts seeking answers.

Why Shreyas Iyer was not selected in India’s Test squad for the England tour?

Chief selector Ajit agarkar addressed the media in Mumbai, clarifying the rationale behind the decision. “Shreyas had a good one-day series and played well in domestic as well, but right now, there’s no room in Test cricket,” Agarkar stated bluntly, signaling a shift in the team’s direction as younger players and new faces are given opportunities to step up in the absence of senior stalwarts Rohit sharma and Virat Kohli.

Agarkar was quick to assure that Iyer’s Test career is far from over. “If he continues to do well in domestic cricket, I’m sure there’ll be a place for him in the future,” he said, leaving the door open for a potential comeback. For now, the selectors have prioritized form, experience in English conditions, and team balance as India embarks on a new era in Test cricket.

Shreyas Iyer’s current performance in domestic, limited-over cricket

Iyer has been in prolific form across formats. He amassed 480 runs at an average of 68.57 in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy and played a pivotal role in India’s ICC Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year. In the IPL, he led Punjab Kings to their first playoffs in eleven years, underlining his leadership and batting credentials. However, his recent Test record has been less convincing, with just 187 runs at an average of 17 across his last 12 innings. His last Test outing was against England in Visakhapatnam last year.

Selection dynamics: Competition among the players

Agarkar emphasized that the selection committee faced tough choices given the depth in India’s batting reserves. “We cannot pick 500 players in the squad, so some names are bound to miss out,” he remarked, highlighting the fierce competition for places. The selectors opted for Karun nair and Sai Sudharsanboth of whom have excelled in domestic cricket. Nair, in particular, brings valuable experience from county cricket in England, which the selectors believe will be crucial in challenging English conditions.