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BCCI to Let Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Parents Accompany Him on Sri Lanka, UK Tours

The BCCI has decided to make a special exception for teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, allowing his parents to accompany him on India’s upcoming tours of Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom after the 15-year-old earned his maiden call-up to the senior T20I side.

Vaibhav’s rapid rise through the ranks has seen him transition from age-group cricket to the national team in record time. With the youngster set to travel and train alongside senior international cricketers for the first time, the board believes parental support will help ease his adjustment to life in the Indian dressing room.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the decision was taken because Vaibhav remains a minor and will be touring with an all-adult squad.

“He is only 15 years old and will be travelling with the senior men’s team. We felt it was appropriate that a parent or family member could be with him during the tour,” Saikia told Hindustan Times.

According to Saikia, Vaibhav’s father is expected to travel with him to Sri Lanka, while the board is also willing to support the family if they choose to accompany the youngster on the subsequent tour of England.

The BCCI official stressed that the arrangement is a one-off measure rather than a change in policy.

“This is not something we usually permit. However, Vaibhav is still a child and will need time to settle into the senior environment. We want to ensure he is comfortable as he adapts to international cricket and life around the national team,” Saikia said.

Selectors Reward Remarkable Rise

Vaibhav’s selection comes after a series of eye-catching performances in youth cricket and the IPL, where he established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in the country.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said the teenager’s performances left the selection committee with little debate.

“I think he has picked himself,” Agarkar said while discussing the squad announcement.

The former India pacer pointed to Vaibhav’s ability to thrive under pressure and deliver consistently against top-quality opposition despite his age.

“What he has achieved so early in his career is extraordinary. To perform the way he has in a competition as intense as the IPL shows both skill and temperament. He has the ability to change games quickly, and naturally there is a lot of excitement around his future,” Agarkar said.

If handed a debut during the tour, Vaibhav could become India’s youngest men’s international cricketer, surpassing the mark set by Sachin Tendulkar.

India’s T20I Squad

Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube, Varun Chakaravarthy, Prince Yadav and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.