Former India cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath, speaking about Ajit Agarkar's comments on Shreyas Iyer's omission from Asia Cup, said, "Agarkar said Iyer was unlucky but that's just a convenient route." He added, "Iyer can easily play at number five for India being an excellent player of spin and a great finisher." Badrinath stated that India really need Iyer's experience and leadership.