‘His Time Will Come’: Former Indian Player on Shreyas Iyer’s Omission from England Tour

June 29, 2025: As India’s five-Test series against England got underway last Friday at Headingley, Leeds — culminating in a five-wicket victory for the home side — the spotlight was not just on the action but also on the notable omissions and inclusions from India’s squad.

The biggest talking point from the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee’s announcement on May 24 was the appointment of Shubman Gill as India’s new Test captain, taking over from Rohit Sharma. Also drawing attention were maiden Test call-ups for Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh, and a surprising recall for Karun Nair, returning to the national setup after an eight-year absence.

However, it was the exclusion of experienced batter Shreyas Iyer that sparked considerable debate. Iyer, who recently led Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final and had a strong domestic run with 480 runs in the latest Ranji Trophy season at an average of 68.57, found himself out of favor for the red-ball format.

Aakash Chopra: “Iyer Will Have to Wait His Turn”

Former India opener Aakash Chopra addressed the controversy on his YouTube channel, stating that while Iyer’s form is undeniable, the current pecking order in the Indian middle-order does not allow room for immediate inclusion.

“There is no problem with the batting as such. But he has to wait for his chances,” said Chopra. “If players like Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, who are already in the squad, are still waiting, then Iyer will have to be patient too.”

Chopra acknowledged Iyer’s performances across formats but stressed that the team’s structure, especially in Tests, is tightly packed for now.

India’s Current Test Line-Up

Under the new leadership of Shubman Gill, who now bats at No. 4 — a position once held by Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar — India’s middle-order features Rishabh Pant as vice-captain at No. 5, Karun Nair at No. 6, and all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur rounding out the lower middle order.

Iyer, however, continues to be a key figure in India’s white-ball setup. He was instrumental in India’s run to the 2023 ODI World Cup final and played a vital role in their recent Champions Trophy victory earlier this year.

As India navigates a transition phase in Test cricket, Iyer’s patience may yet earn him another shot at the longest format — but for now, he watches from the sidelines as a new generation takes charge.