Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown his support behind teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, urging fans and critics to show restraint following the youngster’s heated altercation during the India A versus Sri Lanka A series.The 15-year-old batter came under scrutiny after a confrontation with Sri Lanka A’s Vishen Halambage escalated at the end of a match. While the incident sparked widespread debate on social media, Ashwin believes the criticism directed at Sooryavanshi has gone far beyond fair assessment.Speaking on his show *Ash Ki Baat*, Ashwin stressed that there is a significant difference between constructive criticism and personal attacks. He argued that many observers had forgotten that Sooryavanshi is still a teenager learning to navigate the pressures of elite sport.”People are expecting maturity from a 15-year-old while forgetting that he is still a child. We were all young once and made mistakes,” Ashwin said.The veteran off-spinner warned that constant negativity can have a damaging impact on young athletes. According to him, criticism should help a player improve, whereas hateful comments only seek to pull someone down.Ashwin also highlighted Sooryavanshi’s fearless approach to batting, describing him as one of the most exciting talents to emerge in Indian cricket in recent years. He noted that the teenager’s ability to perform on big occasions has already set him apart.The former India star urged cricket fans to focus on the youngster’s immense potential rather than a single emotional incident.”Let him enjoy cricket. Playing freely without pressure is one of the hardest things to do in this game. Whether he succeeds or fails, he should be allowed to grow naturally,” Ashwin said.Ashwin further expressed confidence that Sooryavanshi has the talent to succeed across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, calling him a special player with a bright future ahead.
