Punjab Kings Coach Reveals If Shreyas Iyer Was Shocked After India Test Snub

Shreyas Iyer has not done quite a lot wrong in the previous 12 years of his career. From reappearing on the BCCI's central contracts roster to featuring as India's run implanter from the middle order in its conquest of the Champions Trophy, to featuring as the captain of PBKS after a whopping 11 long years of IPL hiatus, Iyer ticked most boxes. The only one he did not - at least on the whole - is confusion with the short ball. Why else did the selectors omit him from the Test squad that will face England? The BCCI chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, did not cite Iyer's soft spot and simply stated 'there's no space for him' in the Test squad but isn't possible at least some of Iyer's frailty contributed to guys like Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan getting a nod before him?

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To be fair, Iyer's omission left more than a few with raised eyebrows. Mohammad Kaif and Atul Wassan held concern when they heard the news, but Iyer appeared to have not cared all that much anyway. The assistant coach of Punjab Kings, Brad Haddin featured on the LiSTNR Sport Podcast, where he was asked if it required the whole unit around Shreyas to lift him up, and whether or not he was shocked and deflated to hear the news he was not on the tour.

"We didn't have to pick him up. His leadership quality around the group has been ultra-aggressive since Day 1. He is coming to camp with a real focus and drive to make Punjab a great cricket franchise. And that's what he has done. He hasn't wavered in his thought process through the whole time. He's been exceptional around our group; he's been exceptional off the field," Haddin told Adam Peacock.

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People don't see Shreyas Iyer' hard work: Brad Haddin

Shreyas has been nothing short of inspirational for the Punjab Kings in the ongoing IPL 2025. With 19 wins from the 14 matches played and a net-run rate of 0.372 (better than any other team), the Punjab Kings finished as the No. 1 team at the end of the league stage, with Shreyas leading the way with 514 runs.

"A lot of people don't see the work he does off the field; not only with the coaching staff but to bring the whole team together. He is very prepared. What I like about him is his cricket IQ. He things on the spot; reads the game really well so he’s been top shelf from Day 1. I am not changing anything, any selections," Haddin pointed out.

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