Teenage batting star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have separate dressing room facilities during India’s T20I series between Ireland and England due to child protection regulations in the UK.The 15-year-old will make his India debut in the two-match T20I series against Ireland at Stormont, Belfast on Friday. If he plays, he will become India’s youngest men’s international cricketer, breaking Sachin Tendulkarlong-term record. Cricket Ireland confirmed that three separate rooms have been secured at the India pavilion to ensure all protective rules are adhered to.“The Indian team has been allocated three separate rooms within the pavilion and has been advised to adhere to conservation laws. We will check that all obligations are met but the BCCI will be governed in accordance with UK law. Our procedures and policies are in line with UK best practice,” a Cricket Ireland spokesperson told IANS.According to the arrangement, Soriyavanshi can participate in team meetings, tactical discussions and spend time with teammates in the main dressing room. However, due to legal requirements for minors, he had to change in a separate room.The same arrangement will also continue during India’s five-match T20I series against England in Durham on July 1.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said the International Cricket Council’s safeguarding rules, as well as the ECB’s own safe hands policy, will apply during the series.The ECB told the Guardian: “Cricket’s governing body is in contact with Team India’s Team Liaison Officer (TLO) to discuss the players’ requirements and expectations while they are in the UK.”The ECB also said that security personnel at each venue are working with the Indian team management to ensure that all dressing room protocols are followed.To provide additional support, BCCI arranged for Sooryavanshi’s parents to accompany him throughout the UK tour. They will stay at the team hotel, but an exception will be made due to his age.“We understand that the player’s parents will travel with him at all times. They stayed in the same hotel, which was against the usual protocol, but because of his age they agreed this time. This additional measure strengthens our confidence that his family can provide additional support and care,” the ECB added.Separate dressing rooms for under-16 players are common in European sports. Young footballers such as Arsenal’s Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri followed a similar process until they turned 16.Despite these arrangements, Soriyavanshi is no stranger to the senior dressing room. He has previously played for Bihar domestic side, IPL Rajasthan Royals and India A team.
