Shreyas Iyer Turns Down Duleep Trophy Captaincy
Indian batter Shreyas Iyer reportedly declined the offer to captain the West Zone team in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, according to a Times of India report. After Iyer’s refusal, the captaincy was handed over to Shardul Thakur, who accepted the role.
A source revealed,
“Yes, it’s true Iyer turned down the offer from the West Zone selection committee to captain the team. After that, the chairman Sanjay Patil approached Thakur, who gladly accepted.”
Despite declining captaincy, Iyer made himself available for the competition.
Asia Cup 2025 Selection and Duleep Trophy Clash
Some reports suggested Iyer’s decision was influenced by his hopes of being called up for the Asia Cup 2025 squad. The tournament starts on September 9, while the Duleep Trophy semifinals are scheduled from September 4 to 7. Participation in the Asia Cup would have made him unavailable for the Duleep Trophy finals.
However, Iyer was not selected in the 15-man Asia Cup squad.
Former Cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar Reacts to Iyer’s Omission
Ex-Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed shock over Iyer’s exclusion from the Asia Cup squad, praising his recent form and leadership. On Instagram, Manjrekar said:
“Shreyas Iyer not making India’s T20 squad for the Asia Cup is just shocking. He came back strong in the England ODI series and carried that form into IPL with an average over 50 and strike rate over 170.”
Manjrekar added,
“He was the game-changer for Punjab Kings, yet he gets no reward with this non-selection.”
Shreyas Iyer’s decision to decline West Zone captaincy coupled with his Asia Cup omission has sparked debate among fans and experts alike. With his impressive recent performances, many expected him to feature in the squad, making his exclusion surprising.
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