Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the 15-year-old sensation from Rajasthan Royals is not yet ready to be part of the Indian team. His statement comes amid an ongoing debate among cricket experts on whether Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should be fast-tracked into the national setup.

Ashwin made it clear that while the youngster possesses immense talent, there is no need to rush his development. According to him, the best approach for the BCCI and selectors is to allow Sooryavanshi to continue playing and evolving without the burden of expectations.

Is Ravichandran Ashwin not impressed by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s performance?

In the opening game against Chennai Super Kings, Vaibhav impressed everyone with a match-winning knock of 52 runs off just 17 balls. During the innings, he showcased fearless intent and clean hitting, helping his team secure a dominant eight-wicket victory.

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There is no doubt that the youngster once again grabbed attention with his batting brilliance. Following his performance, several experts urged the BCCI to fast-track him into the Indian team, considering his immense potential and bright future.

However, Ravichandran Ashwin offered a contrasting viewpoint. He cautioned fans and experts against putting unnecessary pressure on the teenager, emphasizing the importance of letting him grow naturally.

“Don’t give him such a target. He is not even a guy, he is a kid. If MS Dhoni is playing till 45 [44], and if Sooryavanshi plays till 40, he has two and a half decades left in cricket. Leave him alone, he will come on his own when the time is right. He is too good to not play for India. He will play anyway eventually. When will he play? For that, we might have to wait a bit. Why are we always in a hurry?” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ravichandran Ashwin praises the youngster’s bat speed and match-winning impact

Going further, R Ashwin also heaped praise on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his extraordinary batting display against his former side. He highlighted the youngster’s remarkable bat speed and composure at such a young age.

Ravichandran Ashwin pointed out that just days after turning 15, Sooryavanshi delivered a stunning half-century in just 15 balls, underlining his immense potential. The way he dominated the bowlers with clean and fearless hitting was beyond expectations for someone so young.

“He turned 15 years old, so he scored a 15-ball 50, he is showing his age. I mean, what a player he is? How fast is his bat speed? CSK had no answers against him, they looked a flat, deflated unit on the field. RR have put on such a dominating performance that they have said, ‘Look at us, we are also a powerful team in this competition’,” Ashwin added.

Ravichandran Ashwin urges patience as Sooryavanshi’s rise sparks national debate

Ashwin’s remarks underline an important aspect of modern cricket: managing young talent with care rather than rushing them into the spotlight. While Sooryavanshi has already shown glimpses of becoming a future star, the leap from franchise cricket to the international stage comes with significant challenges.

Handling pressure, maintaining consistency, and adapting to different conditions are all part of the journey. The youngster’s fearless approach and natural stroke play make him one of the most exciting prospects in Indian cricket today. However, as Ravichandran Ashwin rightly suggests, giving him time and space to grow could be the key to ensuring a long and successful career at the highest level.

After winning their opening game against Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals will be seen playing their 2nd match of the tournament against Gujarat Titans on April 4 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Also read: Ravindra Jadeja says he had no conversation with MS Dhoni after RR move

Mumbai: In the coming academic year, first-year junior college (FYJC) classrooms across the state may see a 50-50 allocation, with girls taking up half the seats. The Maharashtra school education department is considering a proposal to increase their existing quota in FYJC from 30% to 50% to improve access for girl students and encourage continuation in education early on.In another significant change in the upcoming admission process, the in-house quota in junior colleges may no longer be capped at 10%. Students from schools attached to junior colleges are likely to be given first preference in admissions, enabling a smoother progression, like in the case in CBSE and ISC schools.Both proposals are currently under consideration at minister Dada Bhuse’s office. While the removal of cap in in-house quota is likely to be implemented, implications of an increase in reservation for girls will have to be studied.A govt official said there have been demands from the parents in the past seeking a 50% reservation for girls in FYJC. “In many colleges, they probably make up for more than half the total number of students already. When women get 50% representation in local self-govt bodies, then they could be given equal representation in institutions. The idea is to incentivise higher secondary education for them,” said an official. Last year, of the total 13.5 lakh students admitted to junior colleges in the state in the online process, 48% were girls. Since the total number of seats (22 lakh) is anyway on the higher side, the impact will have to be studied, he said. The official said the policy, if implemented, will ensure girls do not drop out for not getting a seat in colleges closer to their homes. “We wish to make higher secondary education as accessible as possible for them,”he said.“Girls already make up for over 50% students in some urban colleges as they outperform boys. This may probably help students from rural areas,” said a Mumbai college principal whose FYJC batches have 50-60% girls. Another principal said some junior colleges with integrated coaching for IITs may see an impact.For in-house quota, natural progression may be allowed to students. “Students from schools attached to junior colleges or run by the same management may directly take admission in the ‘zero round’, regardless of cutoffs. It will be an additional option for them. The department plans to not restrict it at 10%. For this, colleges and schools run by the same managements can be in the same building, same complex or even the same district. For institutions in Mumbai, this could extend to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region,” said the official.A college principal said this could impact top colleges where the management also runs schools. “It may reduce seats available for meritorious students from outside.”

Cooper Connolly (Image: IPL)

Debutant Cooper Connolly announced himself in style, scoring a brilliant maiden half-century to guide Punjab Kings to a thrilling three-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2026 clash at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Tuesday.Chasing 163, Punjab Kings suffered an early blow as impact player Priyansh Arya fell for 7 in the second over to Kagiso Rabada. However, Prabhsimran Singh quickly shifted momentum with an aggressive counterattack, smashing back-to-back sixes off Rabada. Connolly joined the assault, and the duo powered PBKS to 55/1 at the end of the powerplay. They stitched together a crucial 76-run stand for the second wicket, putting the chase firmly on track.

GT Fight Back, Connolly Holds Nerve

Rashid Khan broke the partnership in the 10th over, dismissing Prabhsimran for a quickfire 37. Captain Shreyas Iyer kept the momentum going with a couple of sixes but was removed by Prasidh Krishna in the 13th over. Gujarat Titans then staged a strong comeback, picking up wickets in clusters as Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, and Marcus Stoinis departed in quick succession.Despite the collapse at the other end, Connolly held his composure and brought up his maiden IPL fifty in just 34 balls. The 22-year-old remained unbeaten on 72 off 44 deliveries, striking five fours and five sixes, and steered Punjab home alongside Xavier Bartlett (11*) with five balls to spare.For Gujarat Titans, Prasidh Krishna was the standout bowler with figures of 3/29, while Rabada, Rashid Khan, Washington Sundar, and Ashok Sharma picked up a wicket each.Earlier, Punjab Kings produced a disciplined bowling effort to restrict Gujarat Titans to 162/6. Vijaykumar Vyshak starred with the ball, claiming three wickets, while Yuzvendra Chahal chipped in with two.Gujarat got off to a flying start, with Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan racing to 35/0 in just three overs. However, Marco Jansen provided the first breakthrough by dismissing Sudharsan for 13. Gill then anchored the innings alongside Jos Buttler, helping GT reach 54/1 at the end of the powerplay.Gill, after an aggressive start, slowed down before being dismissed for 39 by Chahal in the 10th over. Glenn Phillips added a quick 25 but fell to Vyshak, while Buttler top-scored with 38 before being dismissed by Chahal in the 16th over. Washington Sundar struggled to accelerate, managing 18 runs late in the innings.Vyshak finished with impressive figures of 3/34, while Chahal’s 2/28 ensured Gujarat Titans were kept in check despite their strong start.

Brief Scores:

Gujarat Titans 162/6 (Shubman Gill 39, Jos Buttler 38; Vijaykumar Vyshak 3/34, Yuzvendra Chahal 2/28)Punjab Kings 165/7 (Cooper Connolly 72*, Prabhsimran Singh 37; Prasidh Krishna 3/29)Punjab Kings won by 3 wickets.

NEW DELHI: With the Transgender Person (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 becoming law with President of India Droupadi Murmu’s assent on Monday, all eyes are now on the way forward as the amendments do away with the provisions in the 2019 law that allowed “self-perceived gender identity” to be the basis for self-determination and identification for approval for transgender certificate by the district magistrate.The amended definition of “transgender persons” makes it clear that it will not include persons with “different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities”. A medical board headed by the chief medical officer has been introduced. Going forward the district magistrate will issue a certificate of transgender identity, after examining the recommendation of the medical board cited as “authority” to be constituted by the central or state governments. Moreover, the DM will also have the option to seek assistance from medical experts.While the TG community members are exploring the legal route to challenge the enacted amendments in Court, they wonder what will be the fate of the over 32,000 TG certificates issued so far based on self-perceived identity and those pending approval. Member of the National Council for Transgender Persons Abhina Aher told TOI that the community was planning to take legal recourse as the Bill violates the landmark NALSA judgement of 2014 that affirmed the right to self-determination of transgender persons. A visit to the National Portal for Transgender Persons linked to the website of the ministry of social justice and empowerment shows that the total number of applications received stands at 37362. The portal puts the number of TG certificates issued so far at 32660, and of these, TG identity cards have been issued to 32630 persons. As many as 5833 applicants have not been found eligible, and 4794 applications were pending approval as of Tuesday.In this backdrop, youth like Akash (name changed) are a worried lot. A transman from Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri who is currently in Delhi for coaching as he aspires to sit for the civil services examination, Akash says he is fearful of what lies ahead. “ I got my TG certificate on March 18 but will this certificate stay valid? The amendments don’t even mention transman or transwoman in the definition and take away the right to self-perceived identification. So, what happens to me and others in the same situation? Who will stand up to secure our rights and protect us from exploitation?” Akash asked.The amended definition of “transgender person” lays down that it includes a person having such socio-cultural identities as kinner, hijra, aravani and jogta, or eunuch, or a person with intersex variations specified below or a person who, at birth, has a congenital variation in one or more of the following sex characteristics as compared to male or female development.—

The definition also includes “any person or child who has been, by force, allurement, inducement, deceit or undue influence, either with or without consent, compelled to assume, adopt, or outwardly present a transgender identity, by mutilation, emasculation, castration, amputation, or any surgical, chemical, or hormonal procedure or otherwise.”

If you saw the New England Patriots’ star quarterback on your feed today and didn’t recognize him, don’t worry, you aren’t alone. Drake Maye has officially entered his “Buzz Cut Era,” and while the look is a shock to the system, the reason behind it is pure gold.On Tuesday, Maye and his wife, Ann Michael, headed to Quincy, MA, for the 13th Annual “Saving by Shaving” event. Hosted by Granite Telecommunications, the challenge is simple, shave your head, and Granite (along with CEO Rob Hale) donates a staggering $5,000 per person to pediatric cancer research, a very wholesome event for an even wholesome cause.

Patriots QB Drake Maye shaves head for cancer research, raises millions in viral moment

Drake didn’t just show up to watch, he hopped right into the barber’s chair. In a moment that immediately went viral, Ann Michael actually took the first swipe with the clippers! She joked that her only previous haircutting experience was a “COVID disaster” on her grandmother, but luckily, the professionals were there to finish the job, taking the QB down to a “1” guard (about 1/8th of an inch).By the time the clippers stopped buzzing, the event had raised over $4.15 million for Boston Children’s Hospital.While fans are already debating if the bald look gives Drake “superpowers” for the 2026 season, the move is part of a much bigger commitment to the New England community.Just last week, Drake and Ann Michael launched their own nonprofit, the MayeDay Family Foundation. They’ve already pledged to fund a full-time Child Life Therapist for the oncology floor at Boston Children’s for the next three years. If you want to see the new look in person, they’re hosting a Celebrity Softball Classic at Polar Park on May 31.Some fans say he looks ten years younger; others say he looks ready for a Super Bowl run. Drake’s take? He’s just happy to “shine a light” on the kids.“It’s bigger than football,” Maye said after the shave. “Dealing with children is one of the best things. They’re often the biggest fans of us players, and it’s a cool experience to be there for them.”Drake’s new look is the real deal. He might be missing some hair, but he’s definitely gained a lot of new fans in the process.

NEW DELHI: India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja marked his return to Rajasthan Royals in style, playing a key role in their emphatic eight-wicket win over his former team Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on Monday. But beyond his match-winning spell, it was his candid remarks on MS Dhoni that stole the spotlight.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Jadeja picked up 2 for 18 in three overs, using subtle variations and turn to dismantle CSK’s middle order as the visitors were bowled out for 127. RR chased down the target in just 12.1 overs, powered by a sensational knock from teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi (52 off 17 balls).