Ravichandran Ashwin Furious After Yashasvi Jaiswal & Shreyas Iyer’s Exclusion From India Squad For Asia Cup 2025, Says ‘It is Just Not Fair To…’
Yashasvi Jaiswal has showed his brilliance time and then across formats with his natural flair and elegant strokeplay, Jaiswal seems perfectly made for the shortest form of the game, and his absence from India’s squad for the Asia Cup has left fans and cricket experts bewildered. Though his T20I exploits have been encouraging, Jaiswal is only included in the reserves for the upcoming eight-nation tournament, while Shubman Gill is back in the team as vice-captain.
No Place For Yashasvi Jaiswal In India Squad
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was shocked to see omission of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer from the Asia Cup squad. In Ashwin’s view, there was no reason to leave out Jaiswal, particularly when the young opener was included in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 team.
Jaiswal has scored 723 runs in 23 games at a strike rate of 164.31 in his T20I career till now. His most recent game was in July 2024 against Sri Lanka the same series Gill played his latest T20I.
Ravichandran Ashwin Questions Selectors Decision
“See, I understand that selection is a thankless job. Leaving somebody out, telling someone they are dropped, it is not an easy thing. You have to speak to the players, you have to go through the sadness. I just hope Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal were given a call, and they were told the reasons behind not being picked,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.
“Genuinely, I understand Shubman Gill’s selection. He is also the vice-captain. He has scored a lot of runs for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL. He has credentials to be picked in the T20I setup,” he added.
“It Is Just Not Fair”: Ashwin On Shreyas Iyer & Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Exclusion
Ashwin also raised questions about the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer, yet another player most people felt should be in the team. He also showed concern about Sanju Samson’s spot in the XI, now that Gill has returned.
“When you have Yashasvi Jaiswal as the third opener in the T20 World Cup 2024, to remove someone from the World Cup squad and bring in Shubman Gill. I mean, it’s okay, I am happy for Shubman, but I’m very sad for both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer. It is just not fair to these two kids,” said Ashwin.
Ashwin Criticises “One-Captain” Obsession
In a parting comment, Ashwin criticized the current trend of expecting a single player to lead India in all three formats, suggesting that it restricts flexibility and scope for others. An existing CSK member of the IPL, Ashwin stated clearly that India’s abundant talent pool should be dealt with more equitably.
“Jaiswal has also been in some fine form. Maybe they are thinking of Shubman Gill as the leader for the future. Maybe he can be the all-format captain. But it is not necessary to have the same captain in all formats,” said Ashwin.
“What is sadder is that you have announced Gill as the vice-captain, so Sanju Samson’s place is also under threat. Sanju is not going to play. Shubman Gill will play, and he will open the batting,” he added