Shreyas Iyer is reportedly on track to make a comeback to India’s T20I squad for the Asia Cup 2025. After regaining form and consistency in white-ball cricket, especially in the 2025 domestic and IPL season, Iyer seems poised to reclaim his spot. However, this return may come at the cost of players currently in the squad. Here are three players who could be under threat if Iyer is picked:
1. Rinku Singh – Struggling to Maintain Momentum
Rinku Singh, once celebrated for his explosive finishing ability, has hit a rough patch recently. After a stellar IPL 2023, his international opportunities followed. But during the T20I series against England earlier this year, he scored only 39 runs across three games with an average of 19.50 and a strike rate of 121.88.
Adding to that, his IPL performances in 2024 and 2025 failed to impress. He managed only 168 and 206 runs in those seasons, a sharp decline from his breakout year. With Iyer being a proven middle-order batter, Rinku’s inconsistent returns could lead to him making way.
2. Shivam Dube – Inconsistent Despite Power Game
Shivam Dube has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in the IPL with Chennai Super Kings. His explosive batting earned him a place back in the national setup. Though he had a decent outing against England in the last T20I series, his overall T20I stats remain modest—531 runs in 35 matches at an average of 31.23 with a strike rate of 140.
However, considering the conditions in the UAE, where the Asia Cup 2025 will be hosted, Dube’s effectiveness may be limited. Slow pitches may not suit his hitting style, and with Iyer offering more stability in the middle, Dube’s spot could be in jeopardy.
3. Nitish Kumar Reddy – A Youngster Facing Competition
Nitish Kumar Reddy had a strong IPL 2024 which earned him an India call-up. He impressed with a blazing strike rate of 180 in his first three T20Is. However, his form dipped in IPL 2025, where he scored only 182 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate below 120.
With the team likely to prefer a more experienced hand in crunch matches, and with Hardik Pandya already occupying the seam-bowling all-rounder role, Nitish might miss out if Iyer returns.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagramfor more such updates.