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New Delhi: Former India spinner R Ashwin hit out at his critics after facing backlash for suggesting that there was no harm in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sitting out during the recently concluded T20I series between India and Ireland. 15-year-old Sooryavanshi didn’t get a game as Ireland clean-swept India 2-0 in the T20I series to register a famous victory.

Teenage sensation Sooryavanshi was expected to make his much-awaited India debut against Ireland after being rewarded with his maiden national call-up for the series following his exploits for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2026. However, he didn’t feature in the two-match series as the Indian team management has planned to ease the youngster into international cricket.

After Sooryavanshi was snubbed from the playing XI for the first T20I between India and Ireland, Ashwin had defended the Indian team management’s decision. The former spinner said there was no harm in the 15-year-old spending time on the sidelines while being with the squad, as it will be a learning experience for him.

“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. 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,” Ashwin said earlier in a video on his YouTube channel.

“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,” he added.

The former India spinner faced backlash from the fans after his comments, with many complaining that a player like Sooryavanshi should not be carrying water and playing for the team instead.

Ashwin hit back at his critics recently. Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, the former India spinner said there was nothing wrong in Sooryavanshi carrying water for his teammates while sitting out during the Ireland series. The former India spinner said he himself used to carry water as a player and as a ballboy during his early days in cricket and there is nothing degrading about it.

“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,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“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. When did running into the field and giving a water bottle to Indian players become less?,” he added.

Sooryavanshi has become the cynosure of all eyes after his heroics in the IPL and domestic cricket, however, he might have to wait for his chances for the senior Indian team. It remains to be seen if the 15-year-old will be handed his India debut in the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, which gets underway on Wednesday, July 01.

India might bring Sooryavanshi into the playing XI if Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma fail to deliver in the first couple of matches of the series.