Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged fans and cricket experts to show patience with teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, stressing that the youngster should be allowed to develop without the burden of unrealistic expectations. Ashwin also believes Sanju Samson should return to the opening position if Ishan Kishan is fit to play in India’s next T20I against New Zealand. Sooryavanshi grabbed attention in the third T20I with a blistering 45 off just 19 deliveries. His explosive innings helped India chase down a target of 199 with 6.4 overs to spare.
The 15-year-old also shared a record-breaking 133-run opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma, showcasing his ability to put opposition bowlers under pressure from the outset. Speaking on SonyLIV, Ravichandran Ashwin praised Sooryavanshi’s fearless batting and highlighted how the teenager had consistently demonstrated his attacking instincts during the IPL. “The way Vaibhav Sooryavanshi just took off was something that he has done all IPL. For me, he is and will always be a very special player. I look forward to seeing him do very many special things in his career,” Ashwin said.
However, the former India spinner believes the team’s batting combination should change if Kishan returns from injury. Kishan’s absence opened the door for Sooryavanshi, while Samson moved to No. 3 in the previous match.
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Ravichandran Ashwin feels Samson has the experience to handle the responsibility of batting at No. 3 when required. Nevertheless, he believes the wicketkeeper-batter deserves to reclaim his opening position if Kishan is available for selection. “In this combination, when Ishan Kishan is missing and Sooryavanshi has to come, that probably looks like the perfect order because Sanju has got the experience to be able to deal with going in at No. 3. However, tomorrow if Ishan Kishan is going to come back, I think Vaibhav heads out and Sanju slots right back into the slot he deserves,” he added.
Beyond the selection debate, Ashwin’s primary concern is protecting Sooryavanshi from excessive pressure at such an early stage of his career. While acknowledging the teenager’s enormous potential, he urged everyone to give him the freedom to enjoy his cricket.
“These are all big statements to make so early in his life. I really hope that the young boy gets that breathing space. I know he is going to be the poster boy of Indian cricket at some stage, but we all need to take that backward step and allow him to enjoy his cricket,” Ravichandran Ashwin explained.
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Drawing from his own experience of playing cricket as a teenager, Ashwin said young players should not be judged solely on a handful of performances. “I have played cricket from a very young age, and at 16, I was enjoying cricket in the maidans in some club grounds in Chennai. That’s what a 16-year-old is supposed to do. He did something spectacular today (Tuesday). I won’t jump to any conclusions. He is a talent to watch out for. Let him enjoy his cricket, and let’s also enjoy watching him bat,” he said.
Sooryavanshi entered India’s playing XI for the second T20I after Kishan suffered an injury but managed only four runs off eight balls at No. 3. His promotion to the opening position in the third match produced an immediate impact. With Kishan potentially returning for the next encounter, India must decide how to balance their batting order while ensuring Sooryavanshi continues developing without unnecessary pressure.
