The commotion over India’s 18-man team for the England Test series of 2025 has taken a dramatic shift as Shreyas Iyer has been left out, even after an incredible IPL season. The exclusion has set tongues wagging over social media and the cricket fraternity, particularly following Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir’s response to the issue with a blunt answer. While Gambhir avoided making a comment on Iyer’s exclusion in so many words, he shifted focus to another issue — the BCCI’s emotional tribute to India’s military during the IPL 2025 final on June 3.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Shreyas Iyer's Omission from England Tour
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the team for the much-awaited five-Test series against England from June 20 in Leeds. Surprisingly missing from the team was red-hot Shreyas Iyer, who guided Punjab Kings to the play-offs of IPL 2025. Iyer’s omission left everyone wondering. The right-handed batsman was supposed to be one of the main players, given his experience in English conditions and recent consistent batting with the bat. The move became all the more baffling when it was announced that Shubman Gill will captain the side, with Rishabh Pant being appointed vice-captain. Fans and commentators have been loud, wondering why a player who has shown form and leadership is left out. However, Gautam Gambhir, the newlyappointed head coach, did not provide any insight into the decision.
Gautam Gambhir's Brief Response
During a press interaction on Wednesday, when asked about Shreyas Iyer’s absence, Gambhir had a brief and assertive reply: “I am not a selector.” This four-word response was sufficient to express that Gambhir did not wish to raise controversy or own the decision of team selection. Being the head coach, his suggestions would necessarily be taken into account during the process of team selection, but the decision lies with the national selectors. In spite of being asked pointblank about Iyer’s form and captaincy in IPL 2025, Gambhir preferred to evade the question and talk about something else — specifically, his endorsement of the BCCI’s tribute to the armed forces.
Gambhir Applauds BCCI's Tribute to Armed Forces
In a unusual display of extremely complimentary remarks, Gambhir had praise for the BCCI on inviting India’s top military brass to watch the IPL 2025 final in Ahmedabad. “We tend to criticize the BCCI a lot on a lot of things, but this is something which is unbelievable,” Gambhir said. “The BCCI has done an initiative from the perspective that the whole nation is one, and the whole nation has to salute the armed forces for what they do unconditionally. General Upendra Dwivedi (Army Chief), Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi (Naval Chief), and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh (Air Chief) are among the top dignitaries who have been invited. Gambhir, a former BJP MP, has always been vocal about national security and patriotism. His comments on Wednesday echoed his long-standing support for the Indian military.
The IPL final tribute is also a part of a special BCCI initiative to honor the armed forces for their services for the role played by them in Operation Sindoor. The operation was initiated after the dastardly terror attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 individuals, all tourists, were killed at the hands of Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia announced that invitations have been sent to all three service chiefs, senior officers, and some courageous soldiers who participated in Operation Sindoor. “It’s a small gesture to show that Indian cricket stands with our armed forces,” Saikia said in a press release.
Reactions of the Cricketing World
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia announced that invitations have been sent to all three service chiefs, senior officers, and some courageous soldiers who participated in Operation Sindoor. “It’s a small gesture to show that Indian cricket stands with our armed forces,” Saikia said in a press release. Reactions of the Cricketing World While Gambhir’s “not a selector” reply soon went viral, a few former cricketers and experts reacted with dismay at the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer. Sunil Gavaskar, while doing a post-match IPL commentary, said: “If form and leadership don’t matter, then what does? Iyer has done more than enough to prove his place.” However, Harbhajan Singh came to the defence of the selectors and indicated that Iyer’s earlier inconsistency in red-ball cricket might be one reason for the exclusion.
What's Next for Shreyas Iyer?
Regardless of the present setback, Shreyas Iyer’s future is bright in Indian cricket. His leadership in the IPL, equanimity under pressure, and his aggressive-but-classical batting have made him a loyal fan following and impressed experts alike. Some insiders think that he might still be in the running for India’s Test Championship team if there are injury or form concerns within the existing team. Additionally, with the World Test Championship cycle ongoing and India having more red-ball series this year, there is a chance for Iyer to make a return — as long as he maintains his form in franchise and domestic cricket.
Conclusion
Although Gautam Gambhir’s curt retort — “I am not a selector” — may have muzzled the media for the time being, the omission of Shreyas Iyer from India’s tour of England for the Tests has emerged as one of the largest talking points in Indian cricket this season. At the same time, the BCCI’s initiative to honour the Indian Armed Forces during the IPL 2025 Final has brought a moment of pride to fans across the nation. Even in the face of controversial selection calls, Indian cricket seems to be marching ahead — both on the field and in its commitment to national values. As the countdown to June 3’s IPL final and June 20’s England Test series begins, one thing is certain — Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy and the selectors’ choice-making will continue to be in the limelight in the coming months.
Gautam Gambhir Reacts to Shreyas Iyer’s Test Snub: ‘I’m Not a Selector
Sumit
The commotion over India’s 18-man team for the England Test series of 2025 has taken a dramatic shift as Shreyas Iyer has been left out, even after an incredible IPL season. The exclusion has set tongues wagging over social media and the cricket fraternity, particularly following Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir’s response to the issue with a blunt answer. While Gambhir avoided making a comment on Iyer’s exclusion in so many words, he shifted focus to another issue — the BCCI’s emotional tribute to India’s military during the IPL 2025 final on June 3.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Shreyas Iyer's Omission from England Tour
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the team for the much-awaited five-Test series against England from June 20 in Leeds. Surprisingly missing from the team was red-hot Shreyas Iyer, who guided Punjab Kings to the play-offs of IPL 2025.
Iyer’s omission left everyone wondering. The right-handed batsman was supposed to be one of the main players, given his experience in English conditions and recent consistent batting with the bat. The move became all the more baffling when it was announced that Shubman Gill will captain the side, with Rishabh Pant being appointed vice-captain.
Fans and commentators have been loud, wondering why a player who has shown form and leadership is left out. However, Gautam Gambhir, the newlyappointed head coach, did not provide any insight into the decision.
Gautam Gambhir's Brief Response
During a press interaction on Wednesday, when asked about Shreyas Iyer’s absence, Gambhir had a brief and assertive reply:
“I am not a selector.”
This four-word response was sufficient to express that Gambhir did not wish to raise controversy or own the decision of team selection. Being the head coach, his suggestions would necessarily be taken into account during the process of team selection, but the decision lies with the national selectors.
In spite of being asked pointblank about Iyer’s form and captaincy in IPL 2025, Gambhir preferred to evade the question and talk about something else — specifically, his endorsement of the BCCI’s tribute to the armed forces.
Gambhir Applauds BCCI's Tribute to Armed Forces
In a unusual display of extremely complimentary remarks, Gambhir had praise for the BCCI on inviting India’s top military brass to watch the IPL 2025 final in Ahmedabad.
“We tend to criticize the BCCI a lot on a lot of things, but this is something which is unbelievable,” Gambhir said. “The BCCI has done an initiative from the perspective that the whole nation is one, and the whole nation has to salute the armed forces for what they do unconditionally.
General Upendra Dwivedi (Army Chief), Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi (Naval Chief), and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh (Air Chief) are among the top dignitaries who have been invited.
Gambhir, a former BJP MP, has always been vocal about national security and patriotism. His comments on Wednesday echoed his long-standing support for the Indian military.
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Operation Sindoor and BCCI’s Gesture
The IPL final tribute is also a part of a special BCCI initiative to honor the armed forces for their services for the role played by them in Operation Sindoor. The operation was initiated after the dastardly terror attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 individuals, all tourists, were killed at the hands of Pakistan-sponsored terrorists.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia announced that invitations have been sent to all three service chiefs, senior officers, and some courageous soldiers who participated in Operation Sindoor.
“It’s a small gesture to show that Indian cricket stands with our armed forces,” Saikia said in a press release.
Reactions of the Cricketing World
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia announced that invitations have been sent to all three service chiefs, senior officers, and some courageous soldiers who participated in Operation Sindoor.
“It’s a small gesture to show that Indian cricket stands with our armed forces,” Saikia said in a press release.
Reactions of the Cricketing World
While Gambhir’s “not a selector” reply soon went viral, a few former cricketers and experts reacted with dismay at the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer.
Sunil Gavaskar, while doing a post-match IPL commentary, said:
“If form and leadership don’t matter, then what does? Iyer has done more than enough to prove his place.”
However, Harbhajan Singh came to the defence of the selectors and indicated that Iyer’s earlier inconsistency in red-ball cricket might be one reason for the exclusion.
What's Next for Shreyas Iyer?
Regardless of the present setback, Shreyas Iyer’s future is bright in Indian cricket. His leadership in the IPL, equanimity under pressure, and his aggressive-but-classical batting have made him a loyal fan following and impressed experts alike.
Some insiders think that he might still be in the running for India’s Test Championship team if there are injury or form concerns within the existing team.
Additionally, with the World Test Championship cycle ongoing and India having more red-ball series this year, there is a chance for Iyer to make a return — as long as he maintains his form in franchise and domestic cricket.
Conclusion
Although Gautam Gambhir’s curt retort — “I am not a selector” — may have muzzled the media for the time being, the omission of Shreyas Iyer from India’s tour of England for the Tests has emerged as one of the largest talking points in Indian cricket this season.
At the same time, the BCCI’s initiative to honour the Indian Armed Forces during the IPL 2025 Final has brought a moment of pride to fans across the nation. Even in the face of controversial selection calls, Indian cricket seems to be marching ahead — both on the field and in its commitment to national values.
As the countdown to June 3’s IPL final and June 20’s England Test series begins, one thing is certain — Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy and the selectors’ choice-making will continue to be in the limelight in the coming months.
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