All eyes are on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of India's upcoming T20I series in England. While it remains unclear if he will make the playing eleven in the first game, the 15-year-old will get a separate changing room.
According to a report in the British daily The Guardian, Sooryavanshi will have separate changing facilities at all venues in England because International Cricket Council (ICC) event safeguarding rules—along with England and Wales Cricket Board regulations—do not allow Under-16 players to use adult changing rooms.
"Sooryavanshi will be permitted in the India dressing room during the game and can attend team talks, with the restriction applying only when he is getting changed before and after each match," stated the report.
"Such measures are standard practice in English sport, with Arsenal's Max Dowman using a separate changing room from his teammates last season until he turned 16 in December, but will be new to Sooryavanshi as they do not apply in India."
The arrangement will be new for the Rajasthan Royals youngster, who shared the same dressing room as his senior teammates during his time in the Indian Premier League.
Sooryavanshi's parents are also expected to accompany him on the tour.
The ECB, according to the report, is coordinating with the BCCI and venue authorities to ensure all safeguarding protocols are followed during the tour.
"This is an ICC event, with their safeguarding procedures active as they have jurisdiction," the ECB said in a statement to The Guardian.
"The Cricket Regulator is in contact with the team liaison officer 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 are understood and adhered to. This is conducted via safeguarding risk assessments," it added.
The Bihar prodigy is set to become India's youngest international cricketer, going past the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who made his Test debut at 16 years and 205 days in 1989.
India begin their tour with a two-match T20I series against Ireland in Belfast starting on Friday, before taking on England in a five-match series from next Wednesday. The England leg of the tour will also bring with it a first-of-its-kind arrangement for the youngster.
