‘Let him serve the team’: R Ashwin makes massive statement on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s India debut delay

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image: There was considerable buzz surrounding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s inclusion in India’s T20I squad, with many expecting the teenage sensation to make his international debut in the series opener against Ireland. However, the team management decided to stick with their established World Cup-winning pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, leaving Sooryavanshi on the bench.Former India spinner Ravi Ashwin supported the decision and urged fans to be patient with the youngster’s development rather than rushing him into the playing XI. According to Ashwin, there is immense value in learning from the sidelines before entering the international arena.Meanwhile, India suffered a disappointing start to the series under new captain Shreyas Iyer when they lost to Ireland for the first time in T20I history. It was also India’s first T20I since the T20 World Cup was lifted. As the Men in Blue look to bounce back in the second T20I, Ashwin shares his thoughts on why Sooryavanshi should continue to wait.Ravi Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat:“Please, everyone, think about the game with some wisdom. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma opened together and Sanju batted very well in the World Cup. If you bench one of them and play Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, what’s the point of calling it a team game?”“I know we all want to see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi play. We are all fans and he is a great entertainer. But not at any cost. He is worth sitting outside and watching the match as well. Let him serve the team, help, even fetch water. There is a lot to learn from this experience. A great player does not become one overnight. Once Vaibhav starts playing Tenkar, as if he dropped it, he might never get out. He will first spend some time outside playing eleven, he will gain empathy and a better understanding of the team environment He has a long and illustrious career ahead of him,” added Ashwin.

Ireland stunned World T20 champions India by 34 runs

Ireland made history with their first ever win over India in T20I cricket as they beat the reigning World T20 champions by 34 runs in the opening T20I in Belfast.Asked to bat first, Ireland recovered from 36/3 thanks to a half-century from captain Lorcan Tucker and an explosive 49 from Gareth Delany to reach a competitive 182/9. Harshit Rana was India’s outstanding bowler with 3/24 while Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each.In response, India got off to a flying start as Abhishek Sharma smashed a 20-ball fifty, but the visitors suffered a dramatic batting collapse following his dismissal. Matt Hollard (3/28) and Matthew Humphreys (3 wickets) played with the ball as India were bowled out for 148 in 18.5 overs. Irish debutant Jai Moondra also made an immediate impact by dismissing Sanju Samson with his first ball in international cricket.