India's teenage batting prodigy, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, is set for a unique experience on the upcoming England tour. Despite being part of the senior national squad, the 15-year-old will reportedly be required to use separate changing room facilities due to safeguarding regulations for underage athletes.
Safeguarding rules behind the decision
Sooryavanshi recently earned his maiden senior India call-up and is expected to travel with the team for the white-ball series in England. However, safeguarding policies followed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) require players under the age of 16 to have separate changing facilities from adult cricketers.
Also Read । Belgium's golden generation is fading away. The 2026 FIFA World Cup shows why
The arrangement is aimed at protecting the welfare of minor athletes and is a standard procedure in England. As a result, Sooryavanshi will not use the main team changing room during pre-match and post-match changing periods.
🨠VAIBHAV TO HAVE HIS OWN FACILITIES. ðŸ¨
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 24, 2026
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have his own facilities at all venues as the ICC and the ECB prohibit under 16s using adult changing rooms. (The Guardians). pic.twitter.com/1eE5WQ5nXd
"Sooryavanshi will be permitted in the Indian dressing room during the game and can attend team talks, with the restriction only applying when he is getting changed before and after each match," the report added. Saikia told PTI, "You see, not all national teams at the senior level have a 14 or 15-year-old in their squad. After many decades, we have someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi."
Full involvement with the Indian team
The special arrangement will not affect Sooryavanshi's role within the squad. He will continue to attend team meetings, participate in training sessions and remain with his teammates during matches.
Reports also suggest that his parents are expected to accompany him during the tour. The BCCI and ECB are working together to ensure all safeguarding protocols are followed while providing the youngster with the necessary support.
Also Read । Cristiano Ronaldo's brace powers Portugal to dominant 5-0 victory over World Cup debutants Uzbekistan
The rule may come as a surprise to some fans, especially since Sooryavanshi has previously shared dressing rooms with senior players during his IPL stint. However, regulations in England are stricter when it comes to underage athletes.
Sooryavanshi's selection for the England tour marks another significant milestone in his rapidly rising career. The left-handed batter has impressed across domestic cricket, age-group tournaments and franchise cricket, earning recognition as one of India's most promising young talents.
While the changing room arrangement has attracted attention, it is purely a procedural measure. The teenager is expected to remain fully integrated with the Indian squad as he prepares for the next chapter of his cricket journey.
