Sunil Gavaskar criticized foreign cricketers for interfering in India’s team selection after Shreyas Iyer’s Asia Cup exclusion.
The selection of India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 has stirred fresh controversy, with Shreyas Iyer’s omission drawing sharp reactions. Iyer, who guided Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final and earlier led Kolkata Knight Riders to a title win, last played a T20I in 2023. His absence from the 15-member squad, despite consistent performances, has raised questions, especially after Shubman Gill secured a place.
Ajit Agarkar, head of the BCCI selection committee, faced strong criticism from several former players. While dissent from Indian greats was expected, opinions from overseas cricketers have sparked an even bigger debate.
Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar strongly opposed foreign commentary on India’s team matters, stressing that selection remains an internal issue. He argued that Indian cricketers never question selections abroad and urged outsiders to focus on their own teams.
“What is baffling is foreigners who have zero stake in Indian cricket, and much less knowledge about it, wading into the debate and adding fuel to the fire. However great they may be as players and however many times they may have been to India, the selection of the Indian team is strictly none of their business,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for The Sportstar.
“They should focus on their country’s cricket and let us Indians worry about our cricket. Amazingly, when their country’s teams are selected, there’s hardly anything, if ever, heard from them about the selection. It’s almost as if the selection is perfect and they have no comments to make. So, why butt your nose into the selection of the Indian team? Have you ever heard Indian ex-cricketers talk about the selection of other countries’ teams? No, we mind our own business, and seriously couldn’t be bothered by who they choose or who they don’t select,” he added.
Gavaskar also criticized the role of Indian media in amplifying such opinions. He noted that journalists frequently seek foreign validation by interviewing retired overseas players, even when those figures hold little relevance in their own countries.
“To an extent, the Indian media is also responsible, as they go to overseas cricketers and ask them about Indian cricket. How often, on overseas tours, do we see members of the Indian media chasing former players from the host country – players whom even their own nation has almost forgotten – for an interview? It’s almost as if validation about Indian cricket and its cricketers has to be obtained from overseas players,” he said.
Gavaskar’s remarks were seen as a counter to Brad Haddin and AB de Villiers, who questioned the selectors’ call. While de Villiers hinted at behind-the-scenes factors, Haddin had openly expressed disappointment, citing Iyer’s role with Punjab Kings in IPL 2025.
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Last Updated on August 26, 2025
Senior Sports Copywriter
