Team India’s T20I leg of the England tour is over, and the side had a harrowing time as they lost the series 4-0. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi finally got to make his debut during the tour and became the youngest debutant for India in international cricket. Batting sensation didn’t have a great time with scores of 14, 13, and 15 in the three matches.

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin called the tour an internship of sorts for the young batter. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the 39-year-old said, “Let me tell you, Vaibhav is an incredible player, and if I were the selector, Iwould have picked him too. Let him take his time; this is what is called an internship, right?

Rajasthan Royals star didn’t play the final game of the series on Saturday in Southampton. The cameras caught the 15-year-old visibly upset as he sat near the boundary ropes. Sanju Samson was recalled to the playing XI after the batter was dropped post the first game in Durham.

Ashwin urges team management not to let outside noise affect morale

Former CSK player recalled the example of his own playing days, when he wasn’t picked in the playing XI despite pressure from fans. Ashwin was most notably ignored for all four Tests during the 2021 England tour by then skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri. The bowler had also played one game for Surrey, where he picked six wickets but didn’t earn a place in the side.

Spin legend said, “I should have played in this era. Alot of people on social media asked the team management to play me in the XI and questioned my exclusion. Team management knows what the best combination is; one cannot pick teams based on social media pressure.

“There were games where I could have played, but in the end it was a 50-50 decision, and certain times it was the right call. Came to England with good form, but was spoken to by the captain and coach, felt that was done for the team combination.”

He also added, “In the end, it is the team decision, and one has to treat the management like a temple. You cannot let outside noise enter the changing room. How can such outside pressure disturb the side? If it is happening to the management, then one has to think of the players too.”