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All eyes are on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as the 15-year-old batting sensation is ready to make history for India. The youngster is all set to become India's youngest-ever international cricketer when he takes the field against Ireland in Belfast on June 26 before the team travels to England for the T20I series.
However, Vaibhav's first overseas tour will be a little different from that of his teammates. Since he is only 15 years old, he will have to follow some special safeguarding rules in England. Before the UK tour, Kapil Dev made big statement on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Special rules for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on England Tour
Under ICC and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) regulations, players below the age of 16 are not allowed to use adult changing rooms. Hence, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have separate changing facilities at all venues during the England tour.
However, the teenage batting sensation can still sit in the Indian cricket team dressing room during matches, attend team meetings, and be part of all team activities, but he will have to use a separate room while changing before and after games during the five-match T20I series.
Well, these rules are new to the Indians but very common in the United Kingdom, as shared by The Guardian. Additionally, Vaibhav’s parents are also expected to travel with him throughout the tour to make things more comfortable for the teenager.
ECB is working closely with BCCI for special arrangements
The ECB said in a statement as quoted by the Guardian: “This is an ICC event, with their safeguarding procedures active, as they have jurisdiction. A safeguarding concern occurring during the event may (in some circumstances) be managed by the ICC.
In addition to this, the ECB Safe Hands policy applies at all times. The cricket regulator is in contact with the team liaison officer (TLO) for the Indian team to discuss requirements and expectations for the player while he is in the UK.”
The statement further reads, “Each county safeguarding officer for the relevant cricket venue is also working closely with the team liaison officer to ensure venue protocols and arrangements (specifically changing room environments) are understood and adhered to. This is conducted via safeguarding risk assessments.”
ECB makes a rare exception for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as parents allowed to stay with him
Meanwhile, the same report also suggested that the Vaibhav Sooryavanshi family will stay in the same hotel as the Indian team, which is normally not allowed, but an exception has reportedly been approved because of the left-hander’s age. These special arrangements have been made for Vaibhav because he has already become one of the biggest names in world cricket.
The ECB stated, “It is our understanding that the player’s parents will be travelling with him at all times. They are staying in the same hotel, which is outside of usual protocol, but agreed on this occasion due to his age. This additional measure provides us with further confidence that he has family members who can provide the additional level of support and care.”
Well, India will first play two T20Is against Ireland before heading to England for the three ODIs and five T20I matches next month.
