R Ashwin slams BCCI selectors as Yashasvi Jaiswal is snubbed, Shubman Gill returns: 'Not necessary to have same captain in all formats'

Legendary Indian cricketer R Ashwin has lambasted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection panel headed by former pacer Ajit Agarkar after opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer were snubbed and Shubman Gill made a comeback to the T20I squad , which was picked on Tuesday for the Asia Cup 2025.

Gill, who was recently appointed captain of the Test team, was also handed the vice-captaincy in the T20I squad, while Jaiswal, one of the best openers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Test cricket, was not afforded a spot.

In 21 T20Is, Gill has 578 runs at a strike rate of 139.27, while Jaiswal has amassed 723 runs in 23 matches at a strike rate of 164.31. Jaiswal was also part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2024, while Gill wasn’t.

While explaining Jaiswal’s omission , Agarkar explained that he missed out due to a direct fight with Abhishek Sharma, who is currently world no.1 in T20Is. “It’s unfortunate. With what Abhishek has done over the last year or so, plus he gives us a bowling option, it is required. One of these guys was always going to miss out,” Agarkar said at the BCCI press conference on Tuesday.

Ashwin says Jaiswal, Iyer treated unfairly by BCCI selectors

While discussing the massive selection and Gill getting into the team ahead of Jaiswal and Iyer , Ashwin said that both cricketers who failed to make it to the Asia Cup squad have been treated unfairly. He pointed out the fact that Jaiswal was part of the team that won the T20 World Cup 2024.

“See, I understand that selection is a thankless job. Leaving somebody out, telling someone they are dropped, it is not an easy thing. You have to speak to the players, you have to go through the sadness. I just hope Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal were given a call, and they were told the reasons behind not being picked,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, Ash Ki Baat.

“Genuinely, I understand Shubman Gill’s selection. He is also the vice-captain. He has scored a lot of runs for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL. He has credentials to be picked in the T20I setup,” he added.

“When you have Yashasvi Jaiswal as the third opener in the T20 World Cup 2024, to remove someone from the World Cup squad and bring in Shubman Gill. I mean, it’s okay, I am happy for Shubman, but I’m very, very, very sad for both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer. It is just not fair to these two kids,” said Ashwin.

Also Read | ‘Can’t understand Iyer’s exclusion,’ ‘Samson’s fate sealed’: Ex-India cricketers’ major takeaways from Asia Cup squad

Ashwin also compared Gill with both Jaiswal and Iyer.

“Iyer went out of the team, but came and helped you win in the Champions Trophy. If Shubman Gill is in blasting form, Shreyas Iyer is in high-quality form. If Shubman Gill is in outstanding form, Yashasvi Jaiswal also scored a match-winning hundred on a tricky pitch in the Oval.”

Ashwin slams same captain in all formats idea

Ashwin also took a dig at the selectors for trying to force one captain across all formats.

“Maybe they are thinking of Shubman Gill as the leader for the future. Maybe he can be the all-format captain. But it is not necessary to have the same captain in all formats,” said Ashwin.

Also Read | Shubman Gill’s T20I elevation lays bare BCCI’s long-term vision as India cricket seek next superstar

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player, who continues to play in IPL, added that Gill being made vice-captain only means that Sanju Samson will be pushed out of the team.

“What is sadder is that you have announced Gill as the vice-captain, so Sanju Samson’s place is also under threat. Sanju is not going to play. Shubman Gill will play, and he will open the batting,” Ashwin added.