IPL 2026: Activist Threatens Rajasthan Royals with Legal Action Over ‘Child Labour’ Controversy on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

India’s 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is in the headlines yet again. After an absurd allegation of an AI chip in his bat, the teenage sensation has now drawn attention for a new issue. According to a recent controversy surrounding Vaibhav, Karnataka-based social activist CM Shivakumar Nayak has threatened to file an FIR against the Rajasthan Royals, Vaibhav’s IPL team, over allegations of child labor. Nayak has claimed that Sooryavanshi is a minor and that the Rajasthan Royals are exploiting him in the Tata IPL 2026.

 

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Rajasthan Royals exploiting Vaibhav Sooryavanshi?

Speaking to Republic World, Nayak said,

“This 15-year-old boy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from Rajasthan Royals is being exploited. He is just a child, only 15 years old, and they have brought him into the IPL to play professional cricket. This is nothing but child labour. How can they make a minor boy play in such a big league like this? He should be focusing on his studies, going to school and completing his education instead of playing cricket at this tender age.” 

Nayak also weighed on the fact that playing in a cash-rich league like the IPL sets a poor archetype for other children, as that could encourage early professional and peer pressure that could exploit the mental health of a child in the early stages. Nayak further added,

“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. Don’t let this boy play IPL cricket, it’s child labour, he should study.”

After the AI chip incident, this is yet another absurd allegation against the youngster from Samastipur, Bihar, who has taken the cricketing world by storm with his incredible power hitting. The controversy comes amidst a historic season for Sooryavanshi, who has been a dominant force for the Royals.

Regulatory Context: What the Rules Say

Despite the activist’s claims, Sooryavanshi’s participation currently aligns with several cricket governing bodies’ frameworks:

• ICC Eligibility: The International Cricket Council (ICC) allows players aged 15 or over to represent national federations. Exceptional circumstances sometimes allow even younger players to participate, as seen when Sooryavanshi played in the U-19 World Cup at age 14.
• BCCI/IPL Rules: Current BCCI guidelines require Under-19 or Under-16 cricketers to have played at least one first-class match to be eligible for the IPL. Sooryavanshi met this requirement by making his Ranji Trophy debut for Bihar at the age of 12.

What do others say?

The cricketing world, especially the current and ex-cricketers, has supported Vaibhav and the template that he has followed to reach the IPL. The left-hand batter has grown through the ranks of Indian domestic cricket and followed all the rules and regulations, which speaks volumes for his eligibility criteria for playing in the greatest T20 franchise league in the world.

• RCB’s current wicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma recently defended the teen’s right to be a child, noting that off the field, Sooryavanshi is a “typical teenager” who enjoys YouTube and ice cream and should not be burdened by excessive professional expectations. 
• Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev has notably declined to join the intense hype surrounding the 15-year-old, suggesting that only those who follow his development daily are qualified to judge his progress.

What’s next for the Rajasthan Royals?

As the tournament heads into the decisive phase, the 2008 champions, Rajasthan Royals, find themselves hovering at the fourth spot with 6 wins and 4 losses from 10 games. They are now left with 4 more games and need to win at least 2 of them to stand a chance of making it to the playoffs. Below are their remaining fixtures.

• vs Gujarat Titans in Jaipur on May 9
• vs Delhi Capitals in Delhi on May 17
• vs Lucknow Super Giants in Jaipur on May 19
• vs Mumbai Indians in Mumbai on May 24