`I personally think he should play Test cricket…`: Ashwin on Sooryavanshi

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Former Team India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has said that young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should not limit himself to white-ball cricket and should also aim to represent India in Test cricket.

The swashbuckling left-hander recently received his maiden call-up to India`s senior team ahead of the T20I tours of Ireland and England.

“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,” he said during the Cricinfo Honours Awards 2026.

Further speaking, he feels that the cricketers are not interested anymore in making their appearance in Test cricket. The former cricketer also explained the reason why youngsters don`t want to play Test cricket.

“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. 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,” said Ashwin.

In the concluded IPL 2026, despite the Rajasthan Royals` failure to make the final of the tournament, Sooryavanshi was the player to win the most awards at the post-tournament presentation ceremony. The Indian star won multiple accolades as he rose to fame in just his second season of the cash-rich league.

IND vs AFG Test: Day 1 summary

Currently, the Shubman Gill-led men are busy featuring in the one-off Test match against Afghanistan.

Team India ended the day one at 368 runs for the loss of three wickets as Indian batters dominated against an inexperienced Afghanistan bowling attack.

KL Rahul smashed 11 boundaries as he scored 100 runs in 165 balls. The Indian opener was dismissed by Ziaur Rahman Sharifi shortly after reaching his century.

Indian captain Shubman Gill also dominated the Afghanistan bowling, continuing his impressive recent form. The Indian skipper scored an unbeaten 103 runs in 143 balls, including 11 fours and one six. Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten too, scoring 50 runs in 70 balls.

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