Ravichandran Ashwin has once again defended his views on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s role in the Indian team, insisting there is nothing wrong with the teenager spending time on the bench and contributing to the team by carrying drinks during matches. The former Indian off-spinner had earlier backed the team management’s decision to omit Sooryavanshi from the playing XI for the opening T20I against Ireland. After India’s defeat in that match, Ashwin noted that the 15-year-old still has a lot to learn by watching the game up close and helping the team, including carrying drinks onto the field. While the comments drew criticism from a section of fans on social media, who felt that Ashwin was undermining the youngster, the veteran spinner has now clarified that his remarks were misunderstood and taken out of context. “We have to give Vaibhav Sooryavanshi time. The way he has played in the IPL, obviously, you will have to play with him at some point. He is so special. What I am saying is that carrying water is not degrading. Why do people think that carrying water is a bad thing? When did the ethos of cricket change? In the 1990s and 2000s, I was a bowler in Chennai and I was so happy to carry water to cricketers,” he said. Ashwin on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat. “When did it become less about running onto the field and handing bottles of water to the Indian players?” he added. Sooryavanshi entered the Ireland series on the back of a sensational IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royalswhere he amassed more than 700 runs. Despite expectations from the debut, India retained their T20 winning World Cup opening combination Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samsonleaving the teenager aside. During matches, Sooryavanshi was seen carrying drinks onto the field during innings breaks. Ashwin made a similar point immediately after the first T20I, stressing that watching matches outside the playing XI can be just as valuable for a young cricketer’s development. “It’s also worth sitting out and watching the game. Let him serve the team, help, even fetch water. One can learn a lot from that experience,” Ashwin said. “A great player doesn’t become one overnight. Once Vaibhav starts playing, he may never be dropped; it could happen, just like what happened with Sachin Tendulkar. But if he spends some time outside the playing XI first, he will gain empathy and a better understanding of the team environment. He has a long and brilliant career ahead of him. Sitting out is also a role,” Ashwin said after the first T20I of the series. India’s 2-0 loss to Ireland in the series has now shifted attention to the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, starting on July 1. It remains uncertain whether Sooryavanshi will finally earn its international debut. In front of the opener, captain Shreyas Iyer Avoided revealing the team’s plans, indicating that Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are likely to continue getting opportunities given their performance in the format over the past year.
