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Ravichandran Ashwin has once again defended his views on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s role in the Indian squad, insisting there is nothing wrong with the teenage batter spending time on the bench and contributing to the team by carrying drinks during matches. The former India off-spinner had earlier backed the team management’s decision to leave Sooryavanshi out of the playing XI for the opening T20I against Ireland. Following India’s defeat in that match, Ashwin remarked that the 15-year-old could still learn a great deal by observing the game closely and helping the squad, including taking drinks onto the field. While those comments drew criticism from sections of fans on social media, who felt Ashwin was undermining the youngster, the veteran spinner has now clarified that his remarks were misunderstood and taken out of context. “We need to give Vaibhav Sooryavanshi time. The way he played in the IPL, obviously, you will have to play him at some point. He is that special. What I am saying is that carrying water is not degrading. Why do people think carrying water is a bad thing? When did the ethos of cricket change? In the 1990s and 2000s, I was a ballboy in Chennai, and I was so happy to carry water for the cricketers then,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat. “When did running into the field and giving a water bottle to Indian players become less?” he added. Sooryavanshi entered the Ireland series on the back of a sensational IPL 2026 campaign with the Rajasthan Royals, where he amassed more than 700 runs. Despite expectations of a debut, India retained their T20 World Cup-winning opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, leaving the teenager on the sidelines. During the matches, Sooryavanshi was seen taking drinks onto the field during breaks in the innings. Ashwin had made a similar point immediately after the first T20I, stressing that watching games from outside the playing XI can be just as valuable for a young cricketer’s development. “There is value in sitting outside and watching the game, too. Let him serve the team, help out, even bring water. There is a lot to learn from that experience,” Ashwin had said. “A great player doesn’t become one overnight. Once Vaibhav starts playing, he might never be dropped; it could happen, just as it did 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 illustrious career ahead of him. Sitting outside is also a role,” Ashwin had said after the first T20I of the series. India’s 2-0 series defeat to Ireland has now shifted attention to the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, which begins on July 1. Whether Sooryavanshi finally earns his international debut remains uncertain. Ahead of the opener, captain Shreyas Iyer avoided revealing the team’s plans, indicating that Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are likely to continue receiving opportunities given their performances in the format over the past year.
