Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has finally broken his silence albeit briefly on the controversy surrounding Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from the upcoming five-Test series against England, starting June 20 in Leeds. Despite Iyer’s impressive IPL 2025 season, where he led Punjab Kings to the playoffs, the batter was left out of the 18-member squad, raising eyebrows among fans and experts alike.
When asked about Iyer’s omission during a media interaction on Wednesday, Gambhir responded bluntly, saying, “I am not a selector.” His brief reply made it clear that the decision rested with the selection committee and not with the coaching staff. The Indian squad will be led by rising star Shubman Gill, with Rishabh Pant named as vice-captain. The exclusion of a seasoned batter like Iyer, especially given his recent form, continues to spark debate in cricket circles.
While Gambhir chose not to wade into selection decisions, he was vocal in his praise for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its gesture to honor India’s armed forces during the IPL 2025 final in Ahmedabad on June 3. “This is an unbelievable step,” Gambhir said. “We normally criticise the BCCI a lot, but this is something special. It’s a way of showing that the entire nation stands together in saluting our armed forces.”
The BCCI has invited the chiefs of all three armed forces General Upendra Dwivedi (Army), Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi (Navy), and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh (Air Force) along with top officers and soldiers to attend the final as honored guests. The gesture is in recognition of the military’s role in Operation Sindoor, the nationwide response following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives.
Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation against Pakistan-backed terrorists who targeted mostly tourists in the Jammu and Kashmir region. In a symbolic show of unity and respect, the BCCI’s invitation is seen as a national salute to the armed forces for their courage and sacrifice. With national pride intersecting with cricket’s biggest stage, the IPL final promises to be more than just a sporting event—it will also be a tribute to those who defend the nation.
