Shreyas Iyer set for T20I comeback in Asia Cup 2025: Report

Shreyas Iyer is set to make a long-awaited comeback to India’s T20I team as the 29-year-old batter has been added to the team for the Asia Cup 2025. Iyer was not appointed the captain of the West Zone team for the Duleep Trophy as he was likely to be selected for the Asia Cup starting on September 9 in the UAE.

Iyer last played a T20I for India in December 2023 against Australia at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. If Iyer is selected, the Asia Cup will be his first T20I match in more than 20 months. Iyer has played 51 T20Is and has scored 1,104 runs. He is known for holding an innings together and responding well under pressure.

Iyer Eyes T20I Comeback as Selectors Prioritise Asia Cup Over Domestic Captaincy

In his absence, Shardul Thakur will act as captain of a strong West Zone team featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, and Tushar Deshpande. The selectors' decision to ignore Shreyas Iyer for a leadership role is likely a tactical move given Iyer's expected national team representation next month.

Iyer has been in good form for some time. He took Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final with a record of 604 runs in 17 matches. Earlier this year, he led Mumbai to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title (2024) and bolstered his case to return to India's white-ball setup.

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India will begin their Asia Cup against the UAE on September 10, then have a marquee clash against Pakistan on the 14th, and their final group-stage game will be against Oman on the 19th. If they navigate through to the Super Fours and the final, Iyer could be a pivotal middle-order player.

The 2025–26 Indian domestic season kicks off with the Duleep Trophy on August 28. Iyer is expected to be included in the squad, but his primary focus would have likely been on the Asia Cup and securing a permanent spot in India's T20I lineup.

West Zone's squad for Duleep Trophy 2025: Shardul Thakur (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Aarya Desai, Harvik Desai (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Jaymeet Patel, Manan Hingrajia, Saurabh Nawale (wk), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Dharmendra Jadeja, Tushar Deshpande, Arzan Nagwaswala.