'I personally think he should play Test cricket for the larger good of the game' - R Ashwin on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of India A stint

Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin was recognised among the 25 'Greatest Men’s International Cricketers of the 21st Century' at the Cricinfo Honours Awards 2026.

Speaking at the event, Ashwin shared his views on how the bowlers are having to adapt themselves to the demands of T20 cricket, the current state of Test cricket, and whether 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should play the longest format of the game.

"Bowlers today are having to adapt at a pace they've never experienced before.

Test cricket has evolved, pitches have changed, and conditions have changed, but T20 cricket, because of the game's economic model, is likely to remain a high-scoring sport. As a result, bowlers need to understand that individual wicket-taking may sometimes take a back seat, and they will have to hunt as a pack. Cricket, as a sport, has traditionally been slow to evolve," Ashwin said.

"I couldn't hit a ball for six, but I went through baseball camps and learned through constant feedback. Cricket has now entered a phase, where both bowlers and batters must become problem-solvers, not season by season or game by game, but ball by ball. When we embrace that mindset, we will see a different level of execution from both batters and bowlers," he added.

Ashwin recalls experience from iconic Gabba Test in 2021

Ashwin missed the iconic Gabba Test between India and Australia in 2021 due to back spasms. He recalled how then-India coach Ravi Shastri picked up a bottle to drink, but after a catch was dropped, he flicked it and someone ducked. It eventually broke after hitting the wall.

"I did want to play that game. I took a lap in the morning, but I just couldn't stand up. It was very difficult. I missed not being able to play, but I was there for all five days, cheering everyone on. During that particular Test match, I was helping manage the coaching staff and relaying decisions to the boys," Ashwin recollected.

"Some insane messages were being passed around. And Ravi bhai is box office when you watch these Test matches. There was one instance when he was fuming. He picked up a bottle and was about to take a sip when a catch was dropped. He just flicked the bottle, someone ducked, it hit the wall and broke. The kind of vibe that Test match had was insane," he added.

Ashwin was asked what needs to improve in Test cricket. The 39-year-old opined that the problem that Test cricket is facing while competing with T20 leagues is not just confined to India. He said that if young cricketers are to be encouraged to take Test cricket seriously, "old-fashioned coaches" should be training them.

"First-class cricket needs to be attractive enough for players to take up. The BCCI has made an attempt by revamping the salary structure, but I don't think Test cricket is just India's problem, it's a global one. Are players being incentivized enough to take up the red-ball game? It requires immense hard work, constant travel, four-day games with three-day breaks in between, bodies are battered, constantly having to recover," Ashwin said.

"That's a tough proposition when players can play for a couple of months and pretty much earn a good living. That said, having played Test cricket and put my body on the line, I can say that nothing compares to the feeling at the end of a hard-fought Test match. Nothing can replace it. And if you're serious about Test cricket, young cricketers should be groomed by slightly old-fashioned coaches," he added.

Ravichandran Ashwin said that the talented Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should definitely play Test cricket for the greater good of the format. However, he mentioned that youngsters at the grassroots level are not too eager to play red-ball cricket and are looking to go for the big shots after blocking a few deliveries.

"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. 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 said.

Ashwin also urged the selectors to pick Test players on the basis of their performances in first-class cricket. He added that if red-ball specialists in the domestic circuit are not rewarded for consistent performances, the sustainability of the longest format will be difficult.

"I don't want to write this in stone and say this is exactly how it's going to be, but Test cricketers should earn their place on the back of first-class cricket. At one point, playing all three formats was very exciting, but there are still cricketers playing first-class cricket who aspire to represent their country in the Test format," Ashwin opined.

Unfortunately, because of various circumstances and the sheer depth of talent in Indian cricket, some of them miss the Test bus. If that continues to happen, how are we going to incentivize players to dedicate 15 to 20 years to first-class cricket, given the lifestyle sacrifices and financial realities involved? Test cricket needs to evolve a little to remain relevant because, as a serious fan of the format, I believe it is at the culmination point and something needs to happen in a very emergency fashion," he concluded.