‘Vaibhav is still a kid’: BCCI explains why parents are accompanying Sooryavanshi to tour England

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: India’s latest batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will not be traveling alone on his first assignment with the senior national team, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia revealed 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 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 the two T20Is against Ireland and the five-match series 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 a player so young entering the senior dressing room.“You know, not all national teams at the senior level have a 14- or 15-year-old player in their squad. After many decades, we have someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi here,” Saikia told PTI.“At one point it was Sachin Tendulkar who got into the national team at such a young age. When a guy that young is part of the senior team, obviously there can be a lot of problems,” he added.Saikia said the primary goal was to make the child feel comfortable in an adult-dominated environment.“To make him feel comfortable and help him get used to a mature environment where all the other players are above 18 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 many problems as far as Vaibhava is concerned,” he added.

“Vaibhav is still a child”

Paralleling the school trips, Saikia emphasized that Sooryavanshi remains a schoolboy despite his extraordinary rise.“Even when a school student goes on a field trip, they are usually accompanied by an older person. Vaibhav is still a child. He is just out of school or maybe in his final year of school.”“So we thought it right 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 for the next two or three decades,” he added.

Teenage sensation forces India’s hand

Sooryavanshi’s rise was nothing short of extraordinary. The explosive opener finished with 776 runs in IPL 2026 at a staggering 237.31 and smashed 72 sixes.Chief selector Ajit Agarkar admitted that the teenager’s performances made his selection inevitable.“He made us pick him with how well he is playing. We see the kind of talent he has and we hope that if he gets an opportunity to play for the country, he will show the same ability,” Agarkar said.Should he feature in Belfast, Sooryavanshi will surpass Sachin Tendulkar to become the youngest player to represent India at the senior level.