R Ashwin has come out in support of Tilak Varma, who drew some fan criticism for his scoring rate in India A’s title-winning final. India A beat Sri Lanka A by 66 runs under Varma’s captaincy, after posting 377/9 in 50 overs.
Two roles, one big total
Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashed 94 off 29 balls, while Varma made 67 off 90 at a strike rate of 74.44. Ashwin said on his YouTube channel that he could not understand where the negativity came from, because Varma delivers runs. Suryavanshi batted fast, he explained, and Varma complemented him to help build a big score.
Varma was the best batter of the series, with four half-centuries in five innings and 275 runs at a strike rate of 74.93, the most for India A. Next he is due to feature in India’s two-match T20I series against Ireland from June 26 as vice-captain.
A word for the teenager
Ashwin also defended Suryavanshi, 15, who had a heated exchange with Sri Lanka A’s Vishen Halambage after a Super Over defeat in the series and was criticised by some fans. Ashwin asked whether people had forgotten that they were once children, and noted that many families have similar youngsters.
Suryavanshi has since received his first India call-up for the Ireland T20Is and is also in the squads for the five-match T20I series against England and the 2026 Asian Games.
