IPL 2026: WATCH- ’15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is being exploited’- Social activist targets Rajasthan Royals

Sooryavanshi has made 404 runs in 10 games in the IPL 2026 with one ton and two fifties.

A social activist from Karnataka has caused a huge controversy regarding Vaibhav Sooryavanshi playing for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the ongoing IPL 2026. He has claimed that RR has been exploiting the 15-year-old youngster and accused them of committing child labor.

When Sooryavanshi was signed by the Rajasthan Royals for INR 1.10 crores in the IPL 2025 mega auction, he was just 14 years old. In his IPL debut against the Lucknow Super Giants, he hit Shardul Thakur's first delivery for a six.

When Sooryavanshi struck a century in 35 balls against the Gujarat Titans, he also became the youngest IPL and T20 centurion and hit the fastest century by an Indian in the IPL.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's inclusion in the Rajasthan Royals' setup has drawn strong criticism from social activist CM Shivakumar Nayak, who has threatened to submit a formal complaint and called the teen's engagement exploitative.

The issue stems from Nayak's claim that a 15-year-old playing professional cricket in the IPL is the same as "child labor."

“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," Nayak said on TV during a debate.

“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. 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 labor laws," Nayak added.  

Children under the age of 14 are prohibited from working in most occupations under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act; however, teens aged 14 to 18 are able to work in non-hazardous sectors under supervised conditions.

Professional sports are not often considered dangerous labor, especially when supervised by organizations such as the BCCI. Young athletes commonly operate in environments that require rules, parental consent, and formal contracts.

Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi is going great guns in IPL 2026 with over 400 runs in 10 games, with one century and 3 fifties and a strike rate of 237.48.