![Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [Source: X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1782538627159_VaibhavSooryavanshi (8).jpg)
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi [Source: X.com]
One moment during India's T20I match against Ireland grabbed almost as much attention as the game itself.
As the players lined up for the national anthem with child mascots standing in front of them, fans noticed that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was the only Indian player without a child escort.
Notably, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had the world's attention from the moment he was picked for India's T20I squad against Ireland for the two-match series that began on Friday.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Waits For His Maiden India Cap
Fans across the globe were eagerly waiting to see the 15-year-old wear the senior India jersey. However, the teen prodigy had to wait a little longer for his first international cap as the Men in Blue, led by Shreyas Iyer, decided to continue with the T20 World Cup-winning opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.
Despite not making his debut, Sooryavanshi remained one of the biggest talking points of the match.
Why Was There No Child Mascot In Front of Vaibhav?
During the national anthem, viewers noticed something unusual. While every Indian player had a child mascot standing in front of them, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi appeared to be standing alone. This immediately sparked curiosity among fans, and social media was flooded with reactions.
One of the most viral comments read, "No kid standing in front of Sooryavanshi because he is himself a kid."
Although neither the BCCI nor Cricket Ireland issued any official clarification regarding the matter, many fans believed the reason was quite obvious.
Since Vaibhav is 15 years old, he himself falls into the age group of a child, making the absence of a mascot in front of him seem symbolic rather than accidental.
Here's how netizens reacted:
How Are Child Mascots Selected Before International Matches?
Before every international cricket match, players walk onto the field alongside child mascots as part of a pre-match tradition known as the player escort or mascot walk. The tradition is aimed at inspiring young fans and symbolises the next generation of the sport.
Generally, the children are selected from local schools, grassroots cricket academies, or community programmes.
In many cases, cricket boards also include children from underprivileged backgrounds or those associated with social initiatives. The selection process is usually handled by cricket associations, sponsors, or outreach partners.
However, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's case was slightly different. While his batting achievements have already placed him among the country's most exciting young cricketers, it is equally important to remember that he is still just a teenager.
Also Read: Fans Demand Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Debut After Sanju Samson Fails Miserably In 1st T20I
Ireland Create History Against India
Meanwhile, the match itself produced a major upset. Ireland defeated India after successfully defending a target of 182. Notably, Lorcan Tucker's half-century and Gareth Delany's aggressive 49 off just 32 balls helped the hosts post a competitive total of 182/9.
In reply, India's batting struggled throughout the chase. Apart from Abhishek Sharma, none of the top-order batters managed to make an impact.
Sanju Samson was dismissed for five runs, Ishan Kishan scored only one, while captain Shreyas Iyer departed for three.
Although Shivam Dube and Axar Patel attempted to revive the innings after India slipped to 100/6, their efforts were not enough. Eventually, India were bowled out for 148, as Ireland completed one of the biggest upsets in T20I history.
Also Read: India Out! List Of ICC Full Members Who Haven't Lost A Match To Ireland
