NEW DELHI: India’s latest batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will not be traveling alone for his first assignment with the senior team, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia revealing that the board has decided to allow the 15-year-old’s parents to accompany him on the upcoming white-ball tour of Ireland and England to help him adjust to an adult environment.The teenage opener, who earned his first India call-up after a sensational run of form, has been named in the squad for two T20Is against Ireland and five matches against England, starting in Belfast on June 26.
‘After many decades, we have someone like Vaibhav’
Explaining the unprecedented move, Saikia said the board had to take into account the unique circumstances surrounding such a young player entering the senior dressing room.“You see, not all national teams at the senior level have 14-15-year-olds in their squad. After many decades, we have someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi,” Saikia told PTI.“At one point it was Sachin Tendulkar who made it to the national team so young. “When a kid that young is part of the senior team, obviously there are a lot of issues that can arise,” he added.Saikia said the primary goal was to ensure the child felt comfortable in an adult-dominated environment.“So we felt it would be helpful to make him comfortable and help him get used to an adult environment where all the other players are above 18 and the team management members are also adults,” said the former Assam Ranji Trophy player.“We are doing this because we believe it will ease many problems as far as Vaibhav is concerned,” he added.
‘Vaibhav is still a child’
Drawing a parallel with school excursions, Saikia emphasized that Sooryavanshi remains a schoolboy despite his extraordinary rise.“Even when a schoolboy goes on a field trip, they’re usually accompanied by a senior. Vaibhav is still a kid. He’s just out of school, or maybe he’s in his last year.”“So, we thought it appropriate to allow his parents to travel with him. I am very happy that his parents are also taking good care of their child, who is an asset to Indian cricket not only now but also for the next two or three decades,” he added.
The teenage sensation is taking India by storm
Sooryavanshi’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. The explosive rookie finished as the leading run-scorer in IPL 2026 with 776 runs at an incredible strike rate of 237.31 and smashed 72 sixes.Chief selector Ajit Agarkar admitted that his selection was inevitable due to the teenager’s performances.“He forced us to pick him considering how well he is playing. We see what kind of talent he has and we hope that if he gets a chance to play for the country, he will show the same ability,” Agarkar said.If he plays in Belfast, Sooryavanshi will surpass Sachin Tendulkar to become the youngest player to represent India at the senior level.
