Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown his support behind Vaibhav Sooryavanshi pursuing a career in Test cricket, even as the teenage sensation continues to redefine expectations in white-ball cricket.Sooryavanshi enjoyed a remarkable IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals, emerging as one of the brightest young talents in world cricket. The 15-year-old’s fearless batting and consistency throughout the season made him one of the tournament’s standout performers and further enhanced his growing reputation.Speaking at the Cricinfo Honours Awards 2026, where he was recognised among the 25 Greatest Men’s International Cricketers of the 21st Century, Ashwin shared his thoughts on the youngster’s future and whether Test cricket should be part of it.“I personally think he should play Test cricket. If you’re thinking about the larger good of the game, then I believe he should. But that said, can you teach your children what they are not willing to learn? You simply can’t. I think the ecosystem is driving these things, and sometimes, when the game tells you what needs to be done, it’s better to follow what it’s telling you,” said Ashwin.The former India all-rounder also pointed to changing trends among aspiring cricketers, suggesting that fewer youngsters now view red-ball cricket as their primary ambition.“You cannot force a particular facet of the game. Yes, Test cricket is the pinnacle, but I’ve been involved in grassroots coaching for a long time, and I don’t see young cricketers turning up wanting to play red-ball cricket. They defend a couple of balls and immediately want to learn the shots that will get them out of trouble.”Ashwin’s comments come at a time when Sooryavanshi’s rise has become one of the biggest stories in world cricket. Earlier this year, the teenager was named Player of the Tournament as India lifted the 2026 Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. He then followed it up with a historic IPL season for Rajasthan Royals.The 15-year-old finished the tournament with 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.30 and became the first player in IPL history to hit 72 sixes in a single season. In doing so, he eclipsed Chris Gayle‘s long-standing record of 59 sixes set in 2012. His extraordinary run-scoring exploits also earned him the Orange Cap and the Player of the Tournament award.Meanwhile, Ashwin’s own achievements were recognised during the ceremony. Ranked 25th among the greatest men’s international cricketers of the 21st century, he retired from international cricket in December 2024 with 765 wickets across formats, the second-highest tally by an Indian behind Anil Kumble‘s 953.In Test cricket, Ashwin finished with 537 wickets, again second only to Kumble among Indian bowlers. He also holds a unique place in the game’s history as the only player to combine more than five Test centuries with over 500 Test wickets. While his legacy was built primarily on his brilliance as a match-winning spinner, his six Test hundreds highlighted the valuable contributions he made with the bat, making him one of the most complete Test cricketers of his generation.
