Why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will use a separate track during Ireland T20Is – EXPLAINED | Cricket News
Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have separate dressing room facilities during India’s T20I series in Ireland and England due to UK child safeguarding rules.The 15-year-old is in line to make his India debut during the two-match T20I series against Ireland, which begins on Friday at Stormont in Belfast. If he plays, he will become India’s youngest ever international cricketer Sachin Tendulkarthe long-standing record. Cricket Ireland has confirmed that India have been given three separate rooms in the pavilion to ensure that all safeguarding rules are followed.“The Indian team was given three separate rooms in the pavilion, and safeguard laws were advised. We have to check that all obligations have been met, but the BCCI has to manage things in accordance with British law. Our procedures and policies are in line with best practice in the UK,” a Cricket Ireland spokesperson told IANS.Under the agreement, Sooryavanshi can attend team meetings, tactical discussions and spend time with his teammates in the main dressing room. However, he must change his clothes in a separate room due to legal requirements for minors.The same arrangement will continue during India’s five-match T20I series in England, which begins in Durham on July 1.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said the ICC’s safeguarding rules will apply during the series, along with the ECB’s own Safe Hands policy.“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 in the UK,” the ECB told The Guardian.The ECB also said that safeguarding officials at each location are working with the India team management to ensure that all changing room protocols are followed.To provide additional support, the BCCI arranged for Sooryavanshi’s parents to travel with him throughout the UK tour. They will stay in the team hotel, an exception made because of their age.“It is our understanding that the player’s parents will travel with him at all times. They stayed in the same hotel, which is outside the usual protocol, but agreed on this occasion because of their age. This additional measure gives us more confidence that he has family members who can provide the additional level of support and care,” added the ECB.Separate locker room arrangements for under-16 athletes are common in European sport. Young footballers such as Arsenal’s Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri also followed similar processes before turning 16.Despite these arrangements, Sooryavanshi is no stranger to senior dressing rooms. He has previously been part of Bihar’s domestic team, Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and India A teams.
Post Comment