Vaibhav Suryavanshi (PTI Image)
New Delhi: India’s newest batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi will not be traveling alone on his maiden stint with the senior national 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 settle into an adult environment.The teenage opener, who earned his first India call-up after an impressive 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 so 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 very young player entering the dressing room.“You see, not all national teams at senior level have a 14 or 15-year-old player in their team.
After so many decades, we have someone like Vaibhav Suryavanshi,” Saikia told PTI.“At one 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 first team, obviously there are a lot of problems that can arise,” he added.Saikia said the main goal is to ensure that the child feels comfortable in an adult-dominated environment.“So, to make him comfortable and help him get used to the 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 beneficial,” the former Assam Ranji Trophy player said.
“We are doing this because we believe it will alleviate a lot of issues regarding Vaibhav,” he added.
“Vaibhav is still a child”
Compared to school trips, Saikia emphasized that Suryavanshi remains a student despite his extraordinary rise.“Even when a school boy goes on a trip, there is usually someone elder who accompanies him. Vaibhav is still a child. He has just come out of school, or maybe in his last year of school.”“So, we thought it would be appropriate to allow his parents to travel with him. I am very happy that his parents are taking good care of their child, who is an asset to Indian cricket not only now but also for the next two-three decades,” he added.
Teen sensation forces India’s hand
Sooryavanshi’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. The explosive opener finished as the top 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 that the teenager’s performance made his selection inevitable.“We were forced to pick him based on how well he plays. We can see the 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, Suryavanshi will overtake Sachin Tendulkar and become the youngest player to represent India at senior level.