Former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath has launched a scathing criticism of Team India captain Shreyas Iyer following the side’s disappointing performances in the recent T20I series against Ireland and England. Badrinath questioned the selection of young all-rounder Suryansh Shedge, suggesting the decision may have been influenced by Iyer’s association with the Mumbai cricketer through the Punjab Kings franchise.

Shedge, who represents Mumbai in domestic cricket and Punjab Kings in the IPL, featured in one T20I each against Ireland and England. However, the youngster endured a difficult start to his international career, managing just eight runs across two innings while failing to take a wicket. His economy rate of nearly 13 also came under scrutiny.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cric it with Badri, Badrinath claimed the selection reflected Iyer’s influence within the team management. “This looks like a Shreyas selection. Shreyas clearly has a say in selection, evidenced by this. So he has to take responsibility for results even if he’s new to captaincy. He has been very poor as captain. The selection of Suryansh Shedge makes you question Shreyas,” S Badrinath said.

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The former India batter further argued that Shedge’s T20 record did not justify an immediate national call-up, claiming several more experienced performers deserved the opportunity ahead of him.

“Shedge plays for PBKS and Mumbai, but he hasn’t done anything extraordinary in T20 cricket. Because of Mumbai and Punjab Kings, he gets a chance straight into the Indian team ahead of many deserving cricketers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar,” he added.

India’s results have only intensified the criticism surrounding Iyer’s captaincy. The Men in Blue suffered consecutive T20I series defeats, losing 2-0 to Ireland before enduring a 4-0 whitewash against England.

Badrinath also dismissed suggestions that player fatigue following the IPL contributed to India’s poor performances. He insisted that representing the country comes with responsibility and that professional cricketers cannot hide behind excuses such as workload or physical exhaustion.

“I won’t accept excuses like IPL hangover and body tiredness. These are things those who work for daily wages can say. A high-level Indian professional cricketer can’t say these. If so, then sit at home and don’t play cricket. Playing for India is a privilege, not a right,” S Badrinath remarked.

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Expressing his disappointment, Badrinath pointed out that India possesses one of the world’s strongest domestic T20 structures through the IPL and receives unmatched support from the BCCI. Given those advantages, he believes sustained underperformance is unacceptable and deserving of scrutiny.

India will now look to bounce back in the ODI format when they begin a three-match series against England on July 14, with Iyer and the team aiming to put their recent T20I setbacks behind them.