Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has clarified his much-discussed “serve drinks” remark about teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, insisting that his comments were never intended to belittle the youngster. Instead, Ashwin explained that he was highlighting the importance of patience and learning, adding that spending time on the sidelines can help a young cricketer develop into a more complete player.
Sooryavanshi, who became the youngest player to receive an India call-up earlier this year, had a mixed start to his international career. After warming the bench during the first two T20Is against Ireland and the opening match of the England series, the 15-year-old was handed three consecutive opportunities. However, he struggled to make an impact before being left out once again.
The left-handed opener responded in emphatic fashion during India’s T20I series against Zimbabwe. He smashed two half-centuries in three matches, finished as the series’ highest run-scorer, and underlined why he is regarded as one of Indian cricket’s brightest young talents. Addressing the controversy on his YouTube channel, Ashwin explained that his earlier comments had been taken out of context.
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“I had said earlier that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can spend time, can serve someone drinks, can sit outside. It was never meant in a derogatory manner,” Raichandran Ashwin said. “I only meant that he has a massive learning curve ahead of him. Watching games from outside, observing senior players and understanding international cricket will only make him a better player. Let’s not keep talking about dropping or picking him. Let him evolve naturally because he has everything needed to become a really phenomenal cricketer.”
The young opener has already been included in India’s squad for the 2026 Asian Games, where he is expected to compete with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma for a place in the playing XI.
Ashwin also urged fans and experts not to judge Sooryavanshi solely on his struggles against England. The veteran spinner pointed out that the conditions, quality of fast bowling and pitches in England were vastly different from those in Zimbabwe, making comparisons unfair.
During the England series, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi found it difficult to handle Jofra Archer’s short-ball tactics. However, the teenager showed noticeable improvement in Zimbabwe, executing his pull and hook shots with much greater confidence. Ashwin stressed that every batter, regardless of stature, has technical weaknesses. Using Australian legend Ricky Ponting as an example, he reminded fans that even the greatest players were dismissed by short-pitched bowling during their careers.
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He also warned against placing unrealistic expectations on a 15-year-old simply because of his sensational IPL performances. According to Ashwin, young cricketers inevitably experience ups and downs, and Sooryavanshi deserves the time and space to grow without constant scrutiny. If nurtured patiently, Ashwin believes the youngster has the potential to become one of India’s finest batters in the years ahead.
