Indian cricket is witnessing a remarkable moment as one of the country’s brightest young talents has earned a place in the national team at just 15 years of age. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has become the youngest ever male cricketer to be selected in an India squad after a sensational IPL 2026 season, where he finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer and claimed the Orange Cap with nearly 800 runs.
With the youngster preparing for international assignments in England and Ireland, the BCCI has introduced a special arrangement. The board has allowed his parents to accompany him on tour, recognising the unique challenges of being part of a senior national team at such a young age.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia explained that it is extremely rare for a 14 or 15 years old player to be included in a senior international squad. He pointed out that Indian cricket has not seen many such cases over the decades, drawing comparisons to legendary players who broke into the national team as teenagers.
According to Devajit Saikia, the decision was made to help the young cricketer settle into an environment where every other player and support staff member is an adult. The board believes that having his parents nearby will make the transition smoother and help him adapt to the pressures and responsibilities that come with representing India at the highest level.
The talented batter is currently part of the India A squad participating in a one-day tournament in Sri Lanka. Following that assignment, he is expected to travel to Ireland, where India’s senior team is scheduled to play two T20 International matches.
Devajit Saikia compared the situation to a school trip, where younger students are usually accompanied or supervised by responsible adults. He emphasised that the player is still in his school years and that parental support can play a crucial role during this important stage of his development.
The BCCI also views the youngster as a valuable long-term asset for Indian cricket. By providing additional support during the early stages of his international journey, the board hopes to create the right environment for him to grow, perform and potentially serve Indian cricket for many years to come.
