Vaibhav Sooryavanshi FIR Threat Over ‘Child Labor’ Claim Rocks Rajasthan Royals

Having turned 15 this March, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became eligible for India's senior men's team selection, marking a significant age milestone.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi FIR Threat Over ‘Child Labor’ Claim Rocks Rajasthan Royals

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's IPL participation has drawn a legal controversy, with a social activist threatening to file an FIR against RR. (via News 18)

In Short
  • Vaibhav Sooryavanshi faces a potential FIR threat over allegations of being exploited as 'child labour' in the IPL.
  • The 15-year-old has gained attention for his impressive performance, scoring 404 runs in ten matches this season.
  • Activist CM Shivakumar Nayak argues that Sooryavanshi should focus on his education instead of playing professional cricket at a young age.

A legal dispute has unexpectedly surrounded Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi regarding his participation in the ongoing 2026 IPL season. A social activist from Karnataka has threatened to file an FIR, alleging that the 15-year-old is being exploited as ‘child labor.’

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has taken IPL 2026 by storm, with his impressive ability to hit big shots captivating both spectators and fellow cricketers. The teenage batting prodigy has been among the tournament’s leading run-getters, with 404 runs in ten matches at a blistering strike-rate of 237.64. In addition to hitting two half-centuries in just 15 balls against CSK and RCB this year, Sooryavanshi also notched a century during a high-scoring game against SRH.

Irrespective of his age, Sooryavanshi has hit world-class bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for monstrous sixes. However, the admiration for the IPL’s youngest-ever player has transitioned into a legal issue, with an activist expressing concern over potential exploitation of the teenager. Previously, questions were raised regarding his age, but those concerns have currently stalled.

A Karnataka-based social activist named CM Shivakumar Nayak, most recently, sparked controversy by questioning Sooryavanshi’s professional cricketing career at such a tender age. Speaking on a Kannada news channel, Nayak threatened to file an FIR against Rajasthan Royals, over employing a 15-year-old in a commercial league like the IPL. He even accused the team of exploiting Sooryavanshi, and added that it amounts to ‘child labor’ and called for an immediate suspension of his IPL contract. 

I strongly condemn this, and I will be filing a police complaint or legal case against the Rajasthan Royals management for violating child rights and child labour laws.

Nayak even stated that Sooryavanshi ought to prioritize his education, arguing that playing in the IPL might eventually ‘destroy’ his childhood. His remarks stemmed from the 15-year-old over-exposure to the demanding commercial commitments and travel schedules of the tournament.

However, the RR batter is exempt from the provisions of the Child Labor Act, as the law allows adolescents to participate as artists in organized entertainment and sports, which is not classified as ‘hazardous’.

He [Vaibhav Sooryavanshi] is just a child, only 15 years old, and they have brought him into the IPL to play professional cricket… He should be focusing on his studies, going to school and completing his education instead of playing cricket at this tender age.

While fans and social media users have largely dismissed Shivakumar Nayak’s claims, they have been highly critical of Rajasthan Royals for not providing a suitable environment for Sooryavanshi. Earlier during the season, team manager Romi Bhinder was using phone in the dugout, while captain Riyan Parag was caught vaping as well. 

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Former West Indies cricketer declares Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ‘ready’ for Team India debut

The conversation around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi making his entry into the Indian team is gaining pace, with several former cricketers and analysts pressing for his inclusion. Most recently, West Indies’ bowling great Ian Bishop suggested that the 15-year-old is ready to make the leap.

Ian Bishop on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Ian Bishop exclaimed that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is ready to make Team India debut. (via NDTV Sports)

Ian Bishop named an alternative Indian T20I roster, composed of players who are not currently on the team but possess significant potential. At the very onset, he began by choosing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who has been in the headlines for his power-hitting abilities. Not only is the young left-hander among the tournament’s leading run-getters, but he has also hit the highest number of sixes (37) so far. He said on ESPNCricinfo:

You tell me if you disagree. I’m picking three openers in my squad. The left-hander is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. I think he is ready to take another step.

Coming off the back of a much-successful 2026 U-19 World Cup campaign where he was named POTS, the Bihar-born talent looks prepared to make his Team India debut. With him already satisfying the ICC’s age requirements, multiple reports suggest he could be considered for the upcoming Ireland tour in June. Meanwhile, Ian Bishop also picked Shubman Gill in his alternate squad, alongside Prabhsimran Singh. 

The 58-year-old selected Shreyas Iyer, Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, and Dhruv Jurel as the remaining batters. For all-rounders, he chose Nitish Kumar Reddy and Krunal Pandya, followed by bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohsin Khan, Prince Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna.

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