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Sooryavanshi at centre of bizarre 'child labour' FIR threat against RR
The article tracks Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's rising cricket fame and the accompanying controversy, including calls for an India debut, AI-bat rumors, and a social activist's threat to file a case over alleged child labour, while outlining his notable achievements through 2026.
Why It Matters
The case highlights ongoing tensions between protecting under-18 athletes and public fascination with prodigious sports talent, underscored by legal and social debates.
Timeline
6 Events
May 6, 2026: Nayak's viral claim and related discourse
May 6, 2026
A social activist, CM Shivakumar Nayak, released a video claiming the 15-year-old is being exploited by the professional cricket system and said he would file a police complaint or legal case against Rajasthan Royals for allegedly violating child rights and child labour laws, labeling the issue as 'child labour'. The piece also notes speculation about an 'AI chip' in Sooryavanshi's bat and a joke from Jos Buttler to Jofra Archer about AI, reflecting ongoing online discourse.
IPL statistics across 2025-2026 season window
May 6, 2026
Across IPL 2025 and IPL 2026, Sooryavanshi has scored 656 runs in 17 matches at an average of 38.59 and a strike rate of 224.66, including two centuries and three fifties.
2026 U19 World Cup: India win; Sooryavanshi named Player of the Tournament
2026
In the 2026 Under-19 World Cup, Sooryavanshi guided India to the title and was named Player of the Tournament after scoring 175 off 80 balls in the final against England U19.
Century in IPL 2026: 103 off 37 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
2026
In IPL 2026, Sooryavanshi scored 103 off 37 balls for another century, against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
IPL debut for Sooryavanshi
April 2025
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes his Indian Premier League debut for Rajasthan Royals in April 2025 at age 14 years and 23 days.
Youngest-ever T20 century: 101 off 38 vs Gujarat Titans
2025
During IPL 2025, Sooryavanshi becomes the youngest-ever player to score a T20 century, making 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans; the hundred comes in 35 balls, the second-fastest in IPL history.