As Team India prepares for the Asia Cup, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has thrown his weight behind Shreyas Iyer, advocating for the middle-order batter inclusion in the squad. Iyer recent performances in the IPL and ICC Champions Trophy have made him a standout candidate, and Chopra believes his boundary-hitting prowess and ability to ease pressure on teammates make him indispensable.
Iyer was a force to reckon with in the 2025 IPL season, finishing as the sixth-highest run-scorer with 604 runs in 17 matches. His average of 50.33 and strike rate of 175.07 were career-best numbers, and his unbeaten 97 was a highlight. More importantly, he led Punjab Kings to their first IPL final since 2014, narrowly missing the title by six runs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
But it wasn just the IPL that showcased Iyer brilliance. In the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year, he was India leading run-scorer and the second-highest overall, amassing 243 runs in five matches at an average of 48.60. His ability to dominate the middle overs and hit boundaries at will caught Chopra attention.
Shreyas Iyer needs to be spoken about because, during the Champions Trophy, no Indian player was better than him in the middle overs, Chopra said on his YouTube channel. He was the one taking the attack to the opposition, hitting boundaries whenever he wanted, and relieving pressure on the other batter.
The competition for top-order spots in the Asia Cup is fierce, with Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav all in sensational form. Iyer, along with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, is vying for a place. However, Chopra argues that IPL performances often dictate T20 selections, and Iyer recent exploits make him a strong contender.
We have repeatedly seen that T20 selections are based on IPL performances, Chopra noted. Players like Varun Chakaravarthy, Rinku Singh, and Abhishek Sharma have earned their spots this way. From that perspective, Shreyas Iyer deserves to play.
Chopra also touched on the delicate balance of the batting order, suggesting that Tilak Varma might need to make way to accommodate Iyer preferred position at number three or four. Tilak has been stellar in T20Is, averaging 55.37 with a strike rate near 170, but Chopra believes a left-right combination with Abhishek, Samson, Iyer, and Suryakumar could be more effective.
Will you drop Tilak Varma from the XI? Chopra asked. I believe Shreyas Iyer best place is at number three or four. Batting him at five might be too low for T20 cricket, especially with Surya at four.
India Asia Cup campaign begins on September 10 against hosts UAE, and all eyes will be on the final squad selection. If Chopra has his way, Shreyas Iyer will be a key part of it.