Ravichandran Ashwin Hits Out At Sanjay Manjrekar For Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Outrage

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and R Ashwin [Source: AFP]Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has indirectly hit out at Sanjay Manjrekar after the former cricketer-turned-commentator criticised Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his on-field altercation during the Tri-Series in Sri Lanka.During the tournament, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was involved in a heated exchange with Sri Lanka A players following India’s Super Over defeat in Dambulla last week. The youngster had an on-field altercation with Sri Lanka A player Vishen Halambage.Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Gets Involved In A Heated ArgumentDuring the encounter, Vishen Halambage was reportedly heard taunting the youngster by saying, “Match is over, now you go home, small kid.” The remark appeared to have struck a nerve with the Rajasthan Royals opener, who reacted angrily on the field.At one stage, Sooryavanshi opener physically pushed the Sri Lankan all-rounder before senior player Niroshan Dickwella stepped in to separate the two players.Notably, the flashpoint divided the cricket community, with Sanjay Manjrekar advocating for strict disciplinary action, suggesting the youngster should have been dropped for a game.Sanjay Manjrekar @sanjaymanjrekar If I was India A coach or manager I would have left Vaibhav Suryavanshi out for this game v AFG. Only to let him know that’s it’s not OK to get physical on the field. Whatever the provocations. Ravichandran Ashwin Slams Sanjay Manjrekar For His RemarksComing to the teenager's defense, Ravichandran Ashwin fiercely countered Manjrekar's stance. While throwing his support behind Sooryavanshi, Ashwin questioned the harsh public backlash, asking critics why they chose to respond with vitriol instead of offering constructive mentorship.“All we can do is talk with hate. And what happens then? If the person we are hating eventually reads those things, it might affect them a little. But what do we achieve by talking like that? That is why I am saying this. How can you hate Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?” Ravichandran Ashwin said on Ash Ki Baat.Despite the criticism, Sooryavanshi didn't allow the incident to affect his performances. Just a few days later, in the Tri-Series final, he showcased his batting prowess by smashing 94 runs off just 29 balls.Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Had Warned Sri Lanka A Night Before, Proof OutShedding further light on the issue, Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the severe backlash surrounding the incident.“What is criticism? If today you are hosting the show and I tell you, ‘Vimal bhai, I didn’t like the hosting so much today. Maybe we can pay attention here. Maybe this question could have been asked differently. Maybe this point could have been handled differently.’ That is criticism. Criticism means finding a path for someone to move forward and improve. But what is hatred? Hatred is when somebody has achieved something, and we keep attacking them with words. We keep trying to pull them down. That does not happen,” Ashwin said.Meanwhile, thanks in large part to Sooryavanshi’s brilliant effort in the Tri-Series final, India A went on to win the match by 66 runs.Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Set To Make His Debut For IndiaThe focus now shifts to the international stage for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is set to make his debut for the senior Indian men’s team.Following his stellar performances in IPL 2026, the young Bihar batter earned a place in India’s squad for the T20I series against Ireland and England. He has also been named in India’s squad for the upcoming Asian Games.Notably, India and Ireland are set to face off in a two-match T20I series, with both matches taking place at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Stormont on June 26 and June 28, 2026.Also Read: Youngest Players To Represent India In T20Is