Iyer, who has not featured in T20Is for India since December 2023, was not included in the Suryakumar Yadav-led 15-member Asia Cup squad announced on Tuesday, nor named in the five stand-by players list. Joining the list of former players left surprised by Iyer\u2019s omission is Haddin, who saw him from close quarters as Punjab Kings\u2019 assistant coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWell, one, leadership qualities. Two, the style of player he is under pressure. He's someone who everyone plays better when he's in the team. I have no idea. I first thought when I was reading it that he was injured, but he's not.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo it's a strange decision for me because he brings so much to the game. I actually thought he was going to be captain,\u201d said Haddin in a video posted on Willow Talk\u2019s social media accounts on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Iyer, 30, had scored 604 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 175 and an average of 50.33 in IPL 2025. He even captained Punjab Kings to a runners-up finish in the competition, just after captaining his previous franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, to the IPL 2024 trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSo it's a strange decision for me because he brings so much to the game. I actually thought he was going to be captain,\u201d said Haddin in a video posted on Willow Talk\u2019s social media accounts on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
West Zone, led by India\u2019s seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur, will play their first match of the Duleep Trophy in the semi-final scheduled for September 4, with their opponents to be the winner of the quarter-final clash between Central Zone and North East Zone.<\/p>\r\n\r\n