Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has put his weight behind Tilak Varma regarding his slow strike in tri series final against Sri Lanka A at Dambulla on Sunday. Varma, who was leading India A in the tri series, scored 67 runs off 90 balls and scored his runs at a strike rate of 74.44. 

The left-hander added 84 runs off 110 balls with Ruturaj Gaikwad and then added 63 runs off 70 balls with Kumar Kushagra. 

After India posted an above par score of 377 runs on the board, Varma was trolled for his mundane strike rate as he was compared with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old smashed 94 runs off just 29 balls, scoring at 324.14.

Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “I also noticed a few comments on Tilak Varma’s strike rate. He batted with a slightly slow strike rate. I am thinking in my head, how does this hatred come? He does perform, right? Vaibhav Suryavanshi batted fast, and Tilak Varma complemented him and got a big score.”

On the other hand, Ashwin also defended Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after he was involved in an ugly spat with Sri Lankan all-rounder Vishen Halambage.

“Everyone is saying that this kid should have shown a lot of maturity. Do we forget that we too were children once upon a time? Do we forget that we have such kids in our families as well?”

Sooryavanshi was able to deliver in the summit clash despite the controversy in the group stage match. The prodigy batter was awarded Player of the Match for his blistering knock in the final.

The youngster will be seen in action in the two-match T20I series against Ireland.