NEW DELHI: India’s newest batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will not be travelling alone on his maiden assignment with the senior national team, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia revealing that the board 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 settle into 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, beginning in Belfast on June 26.
‘After many decades, we have someone like Vaibhav’
Explaining the unprecedented move, Saikia said the board had to consider the unique circumstances surrounding a player so young entering a senior dressing room.“You see, not all national teams at the senior level have a 14 or 15-year-old in their squad. After many decades, we have someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi,” Saikia told PTI.“At one point in time, it was Sachin Tendulkar who made it to the national team at such a young age. When such a young kid is part of the senior team, there are obviously a lot of issues that can crop up,” he added.Saikia said the primary objective was to ensure the youngster felt comfortable in an environment dominated by adults.“Therefore, to make him comfortable and help him get used to an adult environment, where all the other players are above 18 years of age, and the team management members are also adults, we felt it would be helpful,” said the former Assam Ranji Trophy player.“We are doing this because we believe it will ease a lot of issues as far as Vaibhav is concerned,” he added.
‘Vaibhav is still a kid’
Drawing a parallel with school excursions, Saikia underlined that Sooryavanshi remains a schoolboy despite his extraordinary rise.“Even when a school student goes on an excursion, there is usually a senior person accompanying them. Vaibhav is still a kid. He has only just come out of school, or is perhaps in his final year of school.”“So, we thought it proper to allow his parents to travel with him. I am very happy that his parents are also taking good care of their kid, who is an asset for Indian cricket not only now but for the next two or three decades,” he added.
Teen sensation forcing India’s hand
Sooryavanshi’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. The explosive opener finished as the leading run-scorer in IPL 2026 with 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.31 and smashed 72 sixes.Chief selector Ajit Agarkar admitted the teenager’s performances made his selection unavoidable.“He has forced us to pick him with how well he’s played. We can see the kind of talent he has and we are hopeful, if he gets the opportunity to play for the country, he will show the same ability,” Agarkar had said.Should he feature in Belfast, Sooryavanshi will surpass Sachin Tendulkar and become the youngest player to represent India at the senior level.
