Kevin Pietersen surprised by Yashasvi Jaiswal's Asia Cup snub, calls him major star

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has expressed surprise at Yashasvi Jaiswal’s exclusion from India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the United Arab Emirates.

Jaiswal, who has quickly established himself as a reliable opener in Test cricket and a prolific run-scorer in the Indian Premier League, was overlooked for the T20I side despite his recent form. His last international appearance came in July 2024 against Sri Lanka at Pallekele, and he has not featured for India in the shortest format since.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a productive England tour earlier this year, amassing 411 runs in five Tests at an average of 41.1. His domestic performances have also been impressive, with IPL returns of 559, 435 and 625 runs in the past three seasons. Many expected that level of consistency to secure him a place in India’s white-ball setup ahead of the Asia Cup.

During a Q&A session on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Pietersen was asked for his thoughts on the omission. His response was direct: “Strange omission! Yash is a major star!”

In Jaiswal’s absence, Shubman Gill has been recalled to the T20I squad and named vice-captain — a decision that could signal the management’s long-term vision of grooming him for leadership across formats. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side as India attempts to defend their Asia Cup crown.

The competition for batting spots in India’s T20 squad is fierce, with established names such as Rohit Sharma, Gill, and Suryakumar competing alongside rising talents. While Jaiswal’s exclusion highlights the wealth of options available, it also raises questions about the selection committee’s approach with one of India’s most promising young players.

For now, India’s focus will be on building the right combinations ahead of the Asia Cup. However, Jaiswal’s consistent run of form in both international red-ball cricket and the IPL ensures that his case for a return cannot be ignored for long.