‘Carrying water is not humiliating’: Ashwin slams Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s remarks

India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Getty Images) Ravichandran Ashwin has once again defended his views on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s role in the Indian team, insisting that there is nothing wrong with the teenage batsman 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 omit Sooryavanshi from the playing eleven for the opening T20I against Ireland. After India’s defeat in that match, Ashwin noted that the 15-year-old still has a lot to learn by watching the game closely and helping the team, including taking drinks to the field. While the comments drew criticism from a section 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 have to give Vaibhav Sooryavanshi time. The way he played in the IPL, of course you have to play him at some point. He is exceptional. I am saying that carrying water is not demeaning. Why do people think that carrying water is a bad thing? When did the ethos of cricket change? In the 90s and 2000s, I was for Chennai to happy water and I was happy. then cricketers,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat. “When was there less running to the field and handing a water bottle to the Indian players?” he added. Sooryavanshi entered the Ireland series on the back of a sensational IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals where he amassed over 700 runs. Despite expectations of a debut, India retained their T20 World Cup-winning opening combination of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson and kept the teenager in the side. During matches, Sooryavanshi was seen taking drinks to the field during innings breaks. Ashwin made a similar point immediately after the first T20I, stressing that watching games outside the playing XI can be just as valuable for a young cricketer’s development. “He has value to sit outside and watch the game as well. Let him serve the team, help, even fetch water. A lot can be learned from this experience,” Ashwin said. “A great player doesn’t become a great player overnight. Once Vaibhav starts playing, he may never get out; it can happen, like it happened to Sachin Tendulkar. But if he spends some time outside the playing XI first, he will gain empathy and understand the team environment better. He has a long and illustrious career ahead of him. Sitting out is also a role after the first T20 series,” Ashwin said. India’s 2-0 series defeat to Ireland has now shifted focus to the upcoming five-match T20I series against England starting on July 1. Whether Sooryavanshi will finally get her international debut remains uncertain. Ahead of the opener, skipper Shreyas Iyer avoided revealing the team’s plans, suggesting that Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are likely to continue to get opportunities given their performances in the format over the past year.