New Delhi: India batter and T20I captain Shreyas Iyer will miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies because of a scheduling clash with the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Iyer, who is also India’s ODI vice-captain, has been named captain of the Indian men’s cricket team for the Asian Games. The continental event overlaps with India’s home ODI series against the West Indies, meaning Iyer will be required to lead the Asian Games side instead of joining the ODI squad.
The development is therefore not related to an injury, fitness concern or a decision to drop the batter from the ODI setup. It is a consequence of the unusual scheduling of two major international assignments involving India at almost the same time.
India face unusual cricketing schedule
October will present an unusual situation for Indian cricket, with two men’s teams potentially playing in different countries on the same day.
The Indian men’s team will participate in the Asian Games cricket tournament in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, while another Indian side is scheduled to face the West Indies in a three-match ODI series at home.
The Asian Games men’s cricket competition will be played in the T20 format. India have received a direct entry into the quarter-finals, which are scheduled for September 28. The semi-finals will be played on October 1, followed by the medal matches on October 3.
The third ODI between India and the West Indies is also scheduled for October 3 in New Chandigarh.
This means that if India reach the Asian Games final, the country could have two men’s cricket teams playing on the same day in two different countries.
Shreyas Iyer to lead India at Asian Games
Iyer will be one of the central figures in India’s Asian Games campaign.
The BCCI’s announced squad has named Iyer as captain, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. The squad also includes several players who have featured prominently for India’s white-ball teams.
India’s 15-member Asian Games squad is:
- Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
- Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
- Shivam Dube
- Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Harshit Rana
- Arshdeep Singh
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The squad combines established international players with younger talent, with India aiming to challenge for the Asian Games gold medal.
Iyer holds important leadership roles
Iyer’s absence from the West Indies ODIs is notable because he currently occupies leadership positions in India’s white-ball setup.
He was appointed India’s T20I captain and has also served as the ODI vice-captain. The BCCI had named him vice-captain for the England ODI series earlier this year, with Shubman Gill leading the side.
Iyer has therefore remained an important part of India’s limited-overs plans despite the team’s recent results.
His participation in the Asian Games also means that the BCCI will need a different leadership and batting combination for the West Indies ODIs.
West Indies series begins on September 27
India’s three-match ODI series against the West Indies is scheduled to begin on September 27, followed by the second ODI and third ODI.
With Iyer unavailable because of his Asian Games commitments, selectors are expected to consider alternatives for the middle order.
Several reports have suggested that Tilak Varma could be an option, although any replacement or final ODI squad decision should be confirmed by the BCCI before being treated as official.
The absence of Iyer could provide an opportunity for another batter to establish a place in India’s ODI middle order.
More key players affected by the clash
Iyer is not the only prominent Indian player affected by the overlapping schedules.
Several members of the Asian Games squad are also expected to miss the West Indies ODI series because they will be part of India’s continental-games campaign. The list includes Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh.
The scheduling clash has consequently created the possibility of India fielding significantly different squads for the two competitions.
The situation is also unusual from a coaching perspective. VVS Laxman is set to coach the Indian men’s Asian Games side, while the regular national coaching staff will remain involved with the bilateral assignment.
Asian Games campaign takes priority for Iyer
For Iyer, the Asian Games assignment represents an opportunity to lead India in a major multi-sport event.
The Indian team will enter the cricket competition at the quarter-final stage on September 28. The side will then have the opportunity to progress through the knockout rounds and compete for a medal.
India’s men’s cricket team won gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where cricket returned to the programme. The 2026 edition provides another opportunity for India to compete for continental honours.
Iyer’s leadership will be particularly important as the team attempts to navigate the short-format tournament and the pressure of knockout cricket.
Two Indian teams could play on October 3
The most unusual feature of the schedule could come on October 3.
If Iyer’s team reaches the Asian Games final, India could have one men’s cricket team playing the Asian Games medal match in Japan while another India side plays the third ODI against the West Indies in New Chandigarh on the same day.
Such a situation highlights the growing depth of Indian cricket and the increasingly crowded international calendar.
The BCCI has also recently acknowledged concerns over player workload and injuries. Following a review meeting, the board said it would seek a better-planned Future Tour Programme with greater rest and acclimatisation time between major assignments.
No setback for Iyer’s ODI prospects
Importantly, Iyer’s absence from the West Indies series should not be interpreted as a setback to his ODI career.
He remains India’s ODI vice-captain and was part of the ODI squad for the England series earlier this year. The current absence is driven by his responsibility at the Asian Games.
For the West Indies series, India will have to manage without several regular white-ball players and could use the opportunity to assess alternatives ahead of future ODI commitments.
For Iyer, the immediate focus will be on leading India at the Asian Games and attempting to bring home another cricket gold medal.
The unusual scheduling means Indian cricket will have to operate with multiple squads, but it also offers an opportunity for several players to gain international experience while established stars such as Iyer take charge of the Asian Games campaign.