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Ashwin backs Suryavanski despite struggles; Kishan return sparks opener debate

Senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has defended struggling batter Vaibhav Suryavanski, saying he deserves time and freedom to develop rather than judgment based on one or two innings. Ashwin's suggestion to deploy Sanju Samson as an opener upon Ishan Kishan's return has reignited selection discussions.

LSN India · 29 October 2026

Ashwin backs Suryavanski despite struggles; Kishan return sparks opener debate

Ravichandran Ashwin has called for patience with Vaibhav Suryavanski despite the young batter's recent inconsistent performances, arguing that premature assessments based on isolated innings could undermine his long-term development. According to Ashwin, Suryavanski possesses considerable potential to achieve significant milestones in his cricket career, provided he is given adequate time and operational freedom.

The veteran spinner's intervention comes as Suryavanski continues to find his feet in competitive cricket. Ashwin's stance reflects growing concerns in Indian cricket circles about the pressure placed on emerging talent during their formative years in the sport.

Ashwin has also triggered fresh debate surrounding India's opening batting strategy by recommending that Sanju Samson be deployed in the opener's role upon Ishan Kishan's return to the squad. The suggestion has prompted considerable discussion within the cricketing fraternity regarding optimal batting line-up configurations and player deployment strategies.

These observations underscore ongoing discussions about selection philosophy, player development timelines, and tactical flexibility as India continues to balance youth integration with established performance metrics in its cricket programme.