BCCI Supports Young Cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with Parental Accompaniment for T20I Tour
BCCI's Special Provision for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), elaborated on the board's decision to permit the parents of rising cricket star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to join him on his upcoming T20I series in Ireland and England.
After an impressive IPL season where he amassed 776 runs in 16 matches, Sooryavanshi, at just 15 years old, became the youngest player to win the Orange Cap and received his first call-up to the national team, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record.
Typically, the BCCI does not allow family members to accompany players on international tours, but they made an exception for Sooryavanshi, covering all expenses for his parents' travel and accommodation.
Reason Behind the BCCI's Decision
The decision to allow Sooryavanshi's parents to accompany him is rooted in the board's commitment to ensuring the well-being of the young athlete. Saikia emphasized that having parental support is crucial for Sooryavanshi as he transitions into senior cricket.
He noted, "Not many national teams have a 14 or 15-year-old player. After decades, we have a talent like Vaibhav. When a young player joins the senior team, various challenges can arise."
Saikia further explained that the presence of his parents would help Sooryavanshi adapt to the adult environment of the team, where all other players and management members are adults.
BCCI's Perspective on Youth in Cricket
Saikia compared the situation to school trips, where young students are often accompanied by adults for guidance and support. He reiterated that Sooryavanshi is still a minor, having just left school.
He expressed satisfaction with the care Sooryavanshi's parents provide, stating, "It's appropriate for them to travel with him. I am pleased that they are looking after their son, who is a valuable asset for Indian cricket for years to come."
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Current Performance
Currently, Sooryavanshi is competing with India A in an ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. In four matches, he has scored 117 runs, averaging 29.25 with a strike rate of 153.95.