"Absolutely Entertaining" — Ashwin's reaction to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's brilliant India A innings says it all
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed 44 runs off 22 balls to give India A a flying start against Afghanistan A. Impressed by the youngster, Ravichandran Ashwin called the knock "absolutely entertaining" and praised his cover drives.
Be a winner today!
Get the latest cricket updates, Join our community
India's 15-year-old batting sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who lit up the ongoing A Tri-Nation Series in Sri Lanka with his explosive batting against Afghanistan A, was finally dismissed after another entertaining innings. The young opener gave India a flying start but fell just short of a well-deserved half-century, handing the team its first major setback.
Vaibhav scored 44 runs off just 22 balls before being caught out. The youngster looked visibly disappointed after his dismissal and stood at the crease in disbelief for a few moments. His knock included nine boundaries, although he was unable to clear the ropes.
His quick-fire innings instantly became the talking point of the match, with fans and cricket experts praising his fearless approach. Not only his growing fan base but also legendary Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin applauded the special youngster for his impressive performance.
What Vaibhav Sooryavanshi did in the India A vs Afghanistan A match
Batting first in their second match of the Tri-Nation Series under the leadership of Tilak Varma in Dambulla, India A got off to a flying start thanks to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old showcased his attacking skills from the very beginning and scored 44 runs off just 22 balls at a stunning strike rate of 200. During his entertaining knock, he smashed nine boundaries, including several beautifully timed cover drives.
Vaibhav kept the Afghanistan A bowlers under pressure before Abdullah Ahmadzai ended his innings. The Afghan pacer bowled a sharp, short-pitched delivery that rushed onto the batter. Vaibhav attempted a ramp shot towards the wicketkeeper, but the extra pace resulted in an edge, and the ball went straight into the gloves of wicketkeeper Ishaq Rahimi. The young batter looked visibly disappointed after missing out on a half-century.
Despite his dismissal, Vaibhav had already laid a strong foundation for India A. He played fearless cricket and scored at a T20-like pace, helping his team gain early momentum. His opening partnership with Prabhsimran Singh put India A in a commanding position.
Notably, Vaibhav was not the only batter to impress. His opening partner, Prabhsimran Singh, played a brilliant knock of 84 runs, helping India A cross the 240-run mark. At the time of writing, captain Tilak Varma was unbeaten on 36, while Ruturaj Gaikwad was batting on 66, with India A reaching 245/3.
Why Ashwin's praise matters for Sooryavanshi's future
Speaking about Sooryavanshi's innings, Ravichandran Ashwin shared a special post on his X account. Reacting to the youngster's dismissal, Ashwin wrote, "Out! But 44 (22), absolutely entertaining innings."
The former India spinner was also impressed by the left-hander's elegant strokeplay, especially his cover drives. Praising the youngster further, Ashwin added, "Punctuated with some well-timed cover drives."
Ashwin did not stop there. Highlighting the maturity in Sooryavanshi's batting, he wrote, "We have seen his power, but today was anything but brute force. He is some player, this kid."
Notably, Ashwin has been one of the strongest supporters of Sooryavanshi's rise. During IPL 2026, he repeatedly stated in podcasts, interviews, and cricket discussions that the young batter had the potential to represent India at the highest level. Ashwin often praised the left-hander's talent and even urged the BCCI to consider him for higher honours, backing him for a future place in the senior national team.
As a result of his remarkable performances, Sooryavanshi has already been named in India's squads for the upcoming Asian Games and the England and Ireland T20I tours. While there is no guarantee that he will feature in every match, earning selections at just 15 years of age is a remarkable achievement and a clear sign of how highly he is rated by Indian cricket.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's rise: From IPL sensation to India A standout
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi turned the 2026 IPL into his personal stage. Opening the batting for Rajasthan Royals, the teenager plundered 776 runs across 16 matches at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 237.30 — numbers that left bowlers, coaches, and fans scrambling for superlatives. He claimed both the Orange Cap and the MVP award, becoming the most talked-about batter in the tournament by a distance.
What made those numbers so remarkable was the manner in which they were compiled. Sooryavanshi did not accumulate — he attacked from the first ball, consistently taking powerplay bowlers apart and refusing to let any opposition set a line or length against him. At an age when most cricketers are still finding their feet in domestic cricket, he was dictating terms in the highest-pressure T20 competition on the planet.
That IPL dominance was never going to stay confined to franchise cricket. Sooryavanshi's performances for India A against Afghanistan A are a natural extension of the same ruthless batting that defined his IPL season — and if Ravichandran Ashwin is calling his innings "absolutely entertaining," it is only a matter of time before a full India call-up follows.
Tags:
