Ravichandran Ashwin Backs Young Star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for Future Indian Representation
Ashwin Praises Sooryavanshi's Potential
Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed admiration for the emerging talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from Rajasthan Royals, suggesting that the young batter could represent India in all formats in the future.
Ashwin shared his thoughts on JioHotstar following the Royals' 77-run loss to Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2026 match held in Jaipur on Saturday night.
Sooryavanshi: A 'Box-Office Player'
Ashwin lauded the 15-year-old's bold batting style, labeling him a 'box-office player' who captivates audiences with his dynamic stroke play. He noted, 'He is leaving no stone unturned, putting every ounce of force he can into the cricket ball. The way he played in the U-19 World Cup final shows he is indeed a box-office player.'
The former cricketer emphasized the importance of allowing Sooryavanshi to enjoy his cricket without the weight of high expectations at such a young age. 'There are very few moments in a cricket career where one can truly enjoy the game, and at just 15, we should let him be. It's not beneficial to impose undue pressure on him at this stage,' he remarked.
Support from Experienced Teammates
Ashwin pointed out that the Rajasthan Royals have seasoned players like Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, and Donovan Ferreira to guide the young talent. 'He shouldn't bear the burden alone. If he can provide strong starts, the experienced batting lineup should help secure victories,' Ashwin stated.
Sooryavanshi's Future in Cricket
Highlighting Sooryavanshi's aggressive approach, Ashwin believes he has the potential to excel in all formats for India. 'He is taking on every bowler. I would love to see him play in Test matches and all formats. He will surely entertain the crowd,' he added.
Rajasthan Royals' Lackluster Performance
Reflecting on the RR vs GT match, Ashwin criticized the Royals for giving the Titans an excessive total due to poor execution and questionable bowling strategies. 'If GT needed a game to boost their standings in this IPL, this was it. The Royals will face challenges in their remaining three matches,' he commented.
He described the Royals' overall performance as 'ordinary' and pointed out flaws in their bowling execution. 'It was a very ordinary display, with bizarre bowling plans and poor execution. They struggled throughout the match,' he noted.
Ashwin acknowledged that Gujarat took full advantage of the opportunities presented by Rajasthan, stating that the 229-run target was too steep for the hosts to chase down. 'GT is a strong team with a formidable bowling attack, but they shouldn't have reached 230 runs. The Royals handed it to them on a platter, and once GT set that score, I felt RR lacked the resources to chase it down,' he concluded.