Explained: Why Vaibhav will have separate dressing room on India’s England tour

London, June 25: Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is set to take another significant step in his burgeoning cricket career after being named in India’s squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of Ireland and England.
The 15-year-old left-hander has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past few months, earning widespread attention with his fearless strokeplay for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Now, he is on the verge of becoming one of the youngest cricketers to represent India at the senior international level.
As anticipation builds around his potential debut, reports have revealed that Sooryavanshi will follow a different dressing-room arrangement during India’s five-match T20I series in England owing to safeguarding regulations applicable to players under the age of 16.
Under rules enforced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the youngster will use a separate changing facility before and after matches.
The measure is designed to ensure the welfare and protection of underage athletes participating in international competitions.Despite the special arrangement, Sooryavanshi will remain fully integrated within the Indian squad throughout the tour.
Officials from both the ECB and the Indian team management are understood to be coordinating closely to ensure all safeguarding requirements are met.
Another exception has also been granted in view of the teenager’s age. His parents will accompany him during the tour and stay at the same hotel as the Indian team, a departure from the standard protocol followed on international assignments.Explaining the decision, the ECB said that ICC safeguarding procedures would be in operation throughout the event, while the ECB’s own welfare policies would continue to apply. The governing body added that it had been in regular contact with India’s Team Liaison Officer to discuss the necessary arrangements for the player during his stay in the United Kingdom.The ECB also confirmed that Sooryavanshi’s parents would travel with him throughout the tour and that permission had been granted for them to stay alongside the Indian squad because of his age.Sooryavanshi’s inclusion has generated considerable excitement among Indian cricket fans, with many eager to see whether the teenage prodigy can replicate his domestic success on the international stage. (IANS)