Rajasthan Royals youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has unexpectedly landed in the middle of a major controversy after a social activist threatened to file a police complaint against the franchise over alleged child labour violations.
The issue gained attention after a viral social media video showed activist CM Shivakumar Nayak criticising Rajasthan Royals for allowing the 15 years old cricketer to play in the IPL. Shivakumar Nayak claimed that a player of such a young age should not be part of a professional tournament and argued that the teenager should instead focus on his education and school life.
According to Shivakumar Nayak, involving a minor in a high-pressure league like the IPL raises concerns related to child rights. He also said he plans to pursue legal action against the Rajasthan Royals management, alleging exploitation of a child for professional cricket purposes.
Here is his video:
https://x.com/vijeshetty/status/2050381904575438848
Click to watch the video directly on X
The remarks quickly sparked debate online, with fans and social media users discussing whether young athletes should be allowed to compete at the highest level so early in their careers.
Despite the controversy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s performances have been extraordinary. Since making his IPL debut in April 2025 at the age of just 14 years and 23 days, the young batter has become one of the most exciting talents in T20 cricket.
Across the IPL 2025 and the IPL 2026, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has scored 656 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average of 38.59. His aggressive batting style is reflected in a stunning strike rate of 224.66. During this period, he has also smashed two centuries and three half-centuries.
The teenager’s rapid rise has made him one of the brightest young stars in Indian cricket, even as discussions around his age and participation continue to grow.
