Ravichandran Ashwin has also defended his views on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s role in the Indian team, insisting that there is nothing wrong with young players spending time on the bench and helping the team by carrying drinks during matches. The former India all-rounder had earlier agreed with the team management’s decision to drop Sooryavanshi for the XI’s opening T20I match against Ireland. Following India’s defeat in the match, Ashwin also said that the 15-year-old can learn a lot by watching the game and helping the team, including drinking on the field. While the comments were criticized by fans on social media, who felt that Ashwin was insulting the youngster, the former spinner has now clarified that his comments were not meant to be. “We have to give Vaibhav Sooryavanshi time. The way he played in the IPL, obviously, you will have to play him at some point. He is very special. What I am saying is that carrying water is not something to be despised. 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 happy with banna to water, I am happy with bannaill to Che wasnaill water, I used to live very happy with bannaill to the cricketers then,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat. “When did running onto the pitch and handing a bottle of water to the Indian players become less popular?” he added. Sooryavanshi joined the Irish line-up on the back of an exciting IPL 2026 campaign with a Rajasthan Royalswhere he amassed more than 700 runs. Despite expectations of a debut, India maintained their winning streak in the T20 World Cup Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samsonleaving the young man aside. During the match, Sooryavanshi was seen drinking on the field during the break in the innings. Ashwin made a similar point immediately after the first T20I, stressing that watching a game from outside the playing XI can be important for a young cricketer’s development. “There is value in sitting outside and watching the game, too. Let him serve the team, help, even bring water. There is a lot to learn from the experience,” Ashwin said. “A great actor does not become one overnight. Once Vaibhav starts playing, he may not fall; it can happen, as it happened with. Sachin Tendulkar. But if he spends time outside the playing XI first, he will gain empathy and a better understanding of the team’s position. He has a long and distinguished career ahead of him. Being outside is also a part,” Ashwin said after the first T20I of the series. India’s 2-0 series defeat in Ireland has now changed their focus on the upcoming five-match T20I in England, which begins on July 1. Whether Sooryavanshi will finally get his international debut is unknown. Before the opener, captain Shreyas Iyer refrained from revealing the team’s plans, suggesting that Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson should continue to receive opportunities for their performances last year.
