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Ashwin Hails Teenage Sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as Future Star

Ravichandran Ashwin has praised teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a "box-office player" with the talent to succeed in all formats. The 15-year-old smashed 36 off 16 balls for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. Ashwin urged people not to burden the youngster with excessive expectations at this early stage. Sooryavanshi is the top scorer for Rajasthan Royals this season with 440 runs from 11 matches.

Key Points: Ashwin Backs Sooryavanshi for All Formats

  • Ashwin praises Sooryavanshi's attacking ability across formats
  • Teenager scores 36 off 16 balls vs Gujarat Titans
  • Ashwin urges not to burden youngster with expectations
  • Sooryavanshi is Rajasthan Royals' top scorer with 440 runs in IPL 2026
3 min read

'I wouldn't mind watching him in all three formats': Ashwin hails Sooryavanshi's approach

Ravichandran Ashwin says 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has the talent to succeed in all three formats, calling him a "box-office player" after his fearless IPL performance.

"He is taking every bowler down. I wouldn't mind watching him in a Test match, and I wouldn't mind watching him in all three formats of the game. - Ravichandran Ashwin"

New Delhi, May 10

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has the talent to succeed across all formats of the game after the Rajasthan Royals opener continued his fearless run in the Indian Premier League 2026.

Speaking about Sooryavanshi's explosive innings against the Gujarat Titans at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday, Ashwin said the 15-year-old possesses the kind of attacking ability that can entertain crowds in every format.

"He is taking every bowler down. I wouldn't mind watching him in a Test match, and I wouldn't mind watching him in all three formats of the game. Get him onto cricket grounds, get people coming along, because he is going to entertain you," Ashwin told Jio Hotstar.

Sooryavanshi once again provided Rajasthan Royals with a flying start in a daunting chase of 230, smashing 36 off just 16 balls with three fours and three sixes. The teenager attacked experienced pacers Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada fearlessly during a breathtaking powerplay that briefly kept Rajasthan in the hunt.

However, Gujarat recovered strongly through their spinners, with Rashid Khan starring with 4-33 as Rajasthan collapsed to 152 all out in 16.3 overs to lose by 77 runs.

Ashwin also described Sooryavanshi as a "box-office player" and urged people not to burden the youngster with excessive expectations at this early stage of his career.

"He is leaving no stone unturned, putting every ounce of force he can into the cricket ball. The way he played, even in the U-19 World Cup final, putting everything together, he is looking like a box-office player," Ashwin said.

"There are very few windows in your cricketing career where you can absolutely enjoy your cricket, and he is only 15 years old. I think we should just let him be. There is no point asking him to do things he shouldn't be doing at this stage of his career," he added.

Ashwin feels that Rajasthan already have experienced names like Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, and Donovan Ferreira in the middle order, allowing Sooryavanshi the freedom to continue playing attacking cricket at the top.

"He has experienced players like Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, and Donovan Ferreira to follow. He shouldn't be the one carrying that burden. If he can give them flying starts, then with the batting line-up they have, they should be winning games like those comfortably," he concluded.

Sooryavanshi has played 11 matches in IPL 2026 and scored 440 runs, which includes one hundred and two half-centuries. He is the top scorer for the Rajasthan Royals this season.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya M
I'm cautiously optimistic. Yes, he's exciting, but we've seen so many young talents fade away after initial success. Remember what happened with Unmukt Chand? Let him prove himself over a few more seasons before we start comparing him to legends. The IPL hype machine is too quick to crown the next big thing.
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Raghav A
"Box-office player" - perfect description! 🎬🔥 The way he takes on pace bowlers is unbelievable for his age. But I agree with Ashwin about managing expectations. We Indians have a habit of building players up only to tear them down later. Just let the boy play and enjoy his cricket. The talent is clearly there.
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Nisha R
I appreciate Ashwin's balanced take. Not many senior players would speak so thoughtfully about a youngster. He's right about the middle order - Jurel and Parag are experienced enough to handle pressure. Sooryavanshi just needs to keep playing his natural game. Also, 440 runs in 11 matches at 15 years old? Insane! 🤯
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Karthik V
About him playing all formats - I think it's too early to say that. Test cricket requires completely different temperament and technique. But for now, let him dominate in T20s and we can reassess in a couple of years. Protect him from the hype machine, BCCI! Don't rush him into the senior team like we did with some others.
S
Swati Y
Finally some sensible commentary! I was getting tired of all the "next Sachin" comparisons. Ashwin's point about letting him enjoy his cricket is so important. At 15

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