Vaibhav Sooryavanshi won’t be allowed to use India’s men’s cricket team’s dressing room during the India vs England T20I series for safeguarding reasons. Sooryavanshi, who’s expected to become India’s youngest international cricketer on June 26 in Belfast against Ireland, isn’t permitted to share a dressing room with adults.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) prohibit cricketers under 16 from sharing a changing room with adults. The ICC and ECB are in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Team India’s liaison officer to ensure the appropriate measures are in place for the 5-match T20I series.
Special rules in place to safeguard Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Sooryavanshi, who’ll be accompanied by his parents on the Ireland and England tour, will be permitted to be present in India’s dressing room during the game and team talks but must leave to get changed before and after every match. The 15-year-old will be provided with a separate changing room at all five venues.
“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 ECB confirmed in a statement to the Guardian.
The ECB and ICC are following the procedure that’s in place in England. Arsenal’s Max Dowman, who’s the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history, had to use a separate changing room until he turned 16 in December 2025.
“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. 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.
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 that can provide the additional level of support and care,” the ECB said further.
Cricket
Selection questions for IRE vs IND 1st T20I: Debuts for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prince Yadav, will Harshit Rana return?
