India, June 23 -- Legendary India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin came out strongly on Tuesday in support of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, condemning the criticism and online hate directed at the 15-year-old following the controversy in Dambulla last week. Ashwin questioned how people could target a child over an on-field incident and warned against confusing constructive criticism with personal attacks, urging fans to allow the youngster to enjoy cricket and develop without the burden of relentless scrutiny.

Sooryavanshi, who could potentially make his India debut in the T20I series against Ireland on Friday, found himself at the centre of controversy last week after being involved in a verbal and physical altercation with Sri Lan...