"Where's the fairness?": Mohammad Kaif questions selectors for ignoring Shreyas Iyer in favor of Sai Sudarshan

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has raised serious concerns over the national selectors’ decision to exclude Shreyas Iyer from India's 18-member squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, scheduled for later this year. The squad was officially announced on May 24, and while it featured several familiar names, the inclusion of Sai Sudharsan, a promising youngster, over the more experienced Iyer has sparked a notable debate.

Kaif, known for his astute cricketing insights, did not mince words while criticising the rationale behind the selection. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, he expressed disappointment with the inconsistent selection policy, especially the reliance on Indian Premier League (IPL) performances to determine candidates for red-ball cricket.

“Sai Sudharsan is a brilliant player, no doubt. But he was picked in the Test squad after a good IPL season with 679 runs and counting. Iyer, meanwhile, has been doing well for so long,” Kaif remarked. He highlighted Iyer’s consistent contributions across formats, citing his 530 runs in the 2023 ODI World Cup and 243 runs in the Champions Trophy as examples of the middle-order batsman’s sustained impact on the international stage.

Kaif pointed out what he viewed as a clear contradiction: “On one hand, you are considering white-ball criteria for one player and not for the other.” He added that Iyer, currently leading the Punjab Kings in the IPL, has not only scored over 500 runs this season but also demonstrated effective leadership by guiding his team into the playoffs.

Iyer’s exclusion becomes even more puzzling when his domestic record is taken into account. After being dropped from the Indian Test team following a lacklustre series against England last year, he has worked his way back through strong performances in the domestic circuit. Representing Mumbai in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, Iyer amassed 480 runs in just seven innings, proving his adaptability and resilience in the longer format.

Despite this, selectors have favoured other names like Karun Nair and Abhimanyu Easwaran for the England tour. While both are seasoned domestic performers, Iyer’s recent form and international experience make his omission difficult to justify, particularly in light of the inclusion of a relatively inexperienced Sudharsan.

Sudharsan’s selection appears to be based predominantly on his impressive IPL 2025 season, where he has been among the top scorers. However, Kaif questioned the wisdom of using IPL form as a litmus test for Test selection. "The formats are vastly different. IPL is a high-paced T20 tournament, while Tests require temperament, technique, and endurance," he explained.