Virender Sehwag has voiced his disapproval over Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from India’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of England, raising pertinent questions about the selectors’ decision-making. The BCCI recently announced an 18-member squad for the crucial series, with Shubman Gill named as the new Test captain.

However, Iyer’s name was a glaring omission, especially considering his strong domestic and IPL form. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Virender Sehwag expressed disappointment at the continued sidelining of Iyer from the longest format.
“He doesn’t get enough credit for his captaincy. While Manoj (Tiwary) pointed out that Rishabh Pant was overlooked due to his poor IPL season, Iyer has been consistent. He’s captaining well, and in great touch—why shouldn’t he be in the Test squad? He is capable of playing all three formats,” Virender Sehwag said.
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Virender Sehwag also emphasised Iyer’s aggressive style of play as a potential weapon against England’s ultra-attacking approach in Test cricket.
“If you have players like Iyer, who can score quickly, they can change the game. England bat at 6-7 runs an over. If India counters even at 4-5 runs per over, it puts pressure back on them,” he added.

Iyer, who last played a Test in February 2024, has appeared in 14 Tests, scoring 811 runs at an average of 36.86, including one century and five fifties. He was also in superb touch during the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, amassing 480 runs in just seven innings at an average nearing 69 with two tons for Mumbai.
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Currently, in IPL 2025, Iyer has been one of the standout performers. Representing Punjab Kings, he has notched up 488 runs from 13 innings, averaging 48.80 and striking at an impressive 172.43—leading the charts for his team. For many, including Sehwag, his omission from the red-ball squad feels increasingly difficult to justify.