Why did BCCI allow Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s parents to travel with him on the India tour?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has allowed the parents of 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to accompany him on India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Ireland and England, with secretary Devajit Saikia saying the teenager needs support as he adjusts to life in the senior team environment.

The decision comes ahead of Sooryavanshi’s first call-up to India’s T20 squad, where he is expected to feature in seven matches across the two countries. The move underscores the board’s cautious approach is nurturing one of the brightest young talents in Indian cricketbalancing elite exposure with age-appropriate support structures.

“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,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI.

Saikia explained that the board’s priority is to ensure that Sooryavanshi makes a smooth transition into professional cricket without being overwhelmed by the demands of the international tour. The teenager has attracted considerable attention for his performances at age group and domestic level, making his inclusion in the senior squad a major milestone in his development. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in action during India’s Tour of Sri Lanka for the Tri Nation series (PTI Photo)

“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 a lot of issues can arise. To make him feel comfortable and help him get used to an adult environment where all the other players are over 18 and the team management members are also adults.”

Referring to the case of a student accompanying a teacher during a field trip, Saikia said, “Even when a school student is 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 felt it was 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.”

The upcoming tour, which kicks off June 26 in Belfast, will give Sooryavanshi his first sustained stint in international level competition alongside older players. BCCI officials believe his parents’ presence will help him adjust to the unfamiliar environment while focusing on his cricket.

NO ACTION ON HARMONICS IN THE FIELD

SRI LANKA PLAYER FINED AFTER FIGHT WITH VAIBHAV SURYAVANSHI

– Vishen Halambage fined by match referee Pradeep Jeyapragash for slapping Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on the field after the match pic.twitter.com/F2d38dlabE— Ajay Jadeja (@AjayJadeja171) June 16, 2026

Saikia also rejected the speculation that BCCI is considering disciplinary action against Sooryavanshi following his recent on-field altercation with Sri Lankan cricketer Vishen Halambag during an India A match.

The incident took place after words were exchanged between the two players and Sooryavanshi appeared to push Halambag when the Sri Lankan approached him during the confrontation. The episode sparked a debate on social media, with some reports suggesting that the BCCI might intervene.

“Lots of things are happening on social media that BCCI is considering action etc. Do you want BCCI to enter the domain of umpires?” Saikia said.

He emphasized that matters arising from incidents on the pitch fell within the jurisdiction of the referees rather than the board itself.

“BCCI is not an authority, we should not interfere in the area where match referees and umpires are the main persons who can decide any incident happened on the field,” he added. “Whatever happened, it was part of the game and BCCI has no role. The role is that of the match referee. If something goes wrong, he takes the call, the umpires take the call and there is a system.”

Saikia’s comments effectively ended speculation of possible disciplinary action while reinforcing the board’s resolve to back Sooryavanshi in the early steps of what many hope will be a long international career.

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Published on:

18 Jun 2026 15:50 IST