Mumbai: R Ashwin on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut d...

By Priya Nair — 27 June 2026 — 3 min read

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has offered advice to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old talent, urging him to enjoy the game despite the growing attention. Ashwin described Sooryavanshi as a “special” talent, noting his ability to adapt against experienced bowlers.

Sooryavanshi has garnered significant attention, having made his Ranji Trophy debut at 12 and scoring an IPL century at 14. He is currently the youngest player selected for the India squad ahead of an upcoming series against Ireland.

Ashwin’s perspective on Sooryavanshi’s talent

Ashwin emphasised that Sooryavanshi, despite his young age, will inevitably face pressure in his career. He expressed a desire for the teenager to focus on enjoying cricket. “He’s a 15-year-old kid, who I personally believe should have fun playing the game, just like you would in the gullies from his hometown,” Ashwin stated on the BBC’s Stumped podcast. He added that pressure would eventually become a part of the game.

Ashwin highlighted Sooryavanshi’s unique abilities, noting, “I think he’s special. When you watch someone special, you know it straight away.” He particularly praised the young player’s batting and his capacity to adjust to senior bowlers.

Sooryavanshi recently received his first call-up to the India squad and is a potential candidate for a T20I debut against Ireland in Belfast. However, his inclusion in the playing XI is not guaranteed due to the presence of established openers like Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. The team is reportedly unlikely to rush his debut unless specific match conditions necessitate it.

Controversy in tri-series clash

Earlier, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and India A captain Tilak Varma were involved in a heated incident during a tri-series match against Sri Lanka A. The game, which took place at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, ended in a dramatic Super Over defeat for India A.

The match concluded in a tie after Sri Lanka A matched India A’s score of 265 on the final ball. Discussions ensued regarding whether to proceed with a Super Over due to fading light. Tilak Varma engaged in extensive conversations with the on-field umpires, advocating for the tie-breaker to proceed. Several India A players and support staff members joined the discussions before officials agreed to hold the Super Over.

The tension escalated further during the Super Over. Arshad Khan bowled a waist-high full toss on the last ball, which was initially not called. Players began to leave the field, and Sooryavanshi was prepared to bat when the umpires declared it a no-ball. This decision led to another prolonged discussion involving Tilak Varma and the officials.

After the match, the situation became more contentious. Sooryavanshi, who scored five runs from the two balls he faced in the Super Over, appeared frustrated as he passed the celebrating Sri Lankan players. Television footage reportedly showed him making contact with a player before being pushed away. He was also seen exchanging words with Sri Lankan players before leaving the field. This incident occurred as he is close to making his senior India debut on the upcoming T20I tour of Ireland.

The controversy overshadowed a match where India A had made a significant recovery. They were at 143 for seven before Suyansh Shedge and Vipraj Nigam formed a 104-run partnership for the eighth wicket. However, India A later incurred a 10-run penalty due to a mistake by Vipraj Nigam during this partnership, which ultimately affected the outcome. Sadeera Samarawickrama’s 93 for Sri Lanka A and Arshad Khan’s final over helped them level the score at 265, forcing the Super Over. This victory placed Sri Lanka A at the top of the points table.