BCCI Flies Vaibhav’s Father To Join Teen Star At Senior Camp

NEW DELHI — The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has arranged for Sanjeev Sooryavanshi, the father of teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, to join him in Sri Lanka ahead of the 50-over tri-series and has offered to facilitate travel for his parents on the upcoming tours of Ireland and England, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said.

The move comes after the 15-year-old was named in India’s T20I squad for the tours of Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games in Japan, following his standout performances in India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning campaign and IPL 2026.

Vaibhav is currently in Sri Lanka with the India A team for the 50-over tri-series, which begins in Dambulla on June 9.

“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s father has arrived in Sri Lanka, and we have also offered to facilitate travel for the family during the upcoming tours of Ireland and England if they wish to accompany him,” Saikia said.

“So, to make him comfortable with the new environment, especially because he is still a child, we arranged for his father to be with him in Sri Lanka so that he can gradually get used to the new situation.”

He said the BCCI would also extend similar support for future overseas assignments if the family wishes to travel with the young cricketer.

“It’s because otherwise he was always traveling with under-19, junior or sub-junior teams. He was in a familiar environment. Now he will be part of the senior setup, and we want to make that transition easier as he is only 15 years old. With his parents around, he’ll be more comfortable. Subject to his satisfaction and convenience, we are doing it,” he added.

Sooryavanshi’s rapid rise has followed a remarkable IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals, where he scored 776 runs to finish as the tournament’s leading run-scorer. His performances earned him a maiden call-up to India’s senior T20I squad.

The youngster is now on the verge of becoming India’s youngest international cricketer, a record currently held by former India captain Sachin Tendulkar, who made his debut for India at the age of 16 years and 205 days in 1989.

Saikia said the board has a responsibility to ensure young players are supported as they transition into senior cricket.

“See, we have some responsibility on us — that nobody should feel uncomfortable or alien in a new environment. That is our basic principle so that he adjusts gradually to being in the senior team.” (IANS)