Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has quickly become the defining force of the IPL season, with his second campaign building on a brief 2025 introduction to his class. The 15-year-old has piled up 404 runs in 10 innings at an explosive strike rate of 237.65, dismantling top-tier bowling attacks—including Jasprit Bumrah—while also adding a century and two half-centuries to his tally. Even as buzz grows around a potential India call-up following IPL 2026, a recent controversy has added noise around his image, after RCB wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma took a swipe at his “unprofessional” attitude.
Key takeaways
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has scored 404 runs in 10 IPL innings at a strike rate of 237.65, including one century and two fifties.
- The 15-year-old’s performances have included a destructive spell against elite bowling, with Bumrah named among the big names he has handled.
- Jitesh Sharma’s earlier “unprofessional” comment went viral and was later used against him after Vaibhav hit 78 off 26 against RCB in Guwahati.
- Jitesh clarified the remark on RCB’s social media channel, saying Vaibhav’s “unprofessional” side simply reflects that he is still a teenager who enjoys normal things like ice cream.
- Jitesh also reiterated his belief that Vaibhav could “dominate all three formats,” calling him a talent AB de Villiers specifically asked about.
Vaibhav’s impact and the “unprofessional” tag
Sooryavanshi’s rise has been rapid. After offering only a taste of his potential in 2025, he has arrived with full intent in his second IPL season. His 404 runs in 10 innings have come at a scorching strike rate of 237.65, and his output includes a century plus two separate knocks of fifty or more. The teenager’s ability to take on world-class bowlers has been a major storyline, with Jasprit Bumrah specifically mentioned among the names he has attacked successfully.
While his form has strengthened expectations of a bright future, reports from last month suggested that he could be close to an India debut after IPL 2026. Amid that growing anticipation, Jitesh Sharma—an RCB player who previously captained Sooryavanshi in the India A Asia Cup last year—sparked debate by describing him as “unprofessional.” The comment was made during a conversation with AB de Villiers on the South Africa great’s YouTube channel ahead of IPL 2026, after de Villiers praised the Rajasthan Royals opener.
Jitesh’s original line was blunt. He said he did not believe Sooryavanshi would ever become “professional” in the way people expect, adding that while the teenager might be on the field, his off-field approach would remain different. Jitesh also claimed he was trying his best to steer him toward more disciplined habits, even mentioning that he asks him not to have ice cream at night.
Context lost online, then a clarification
Despite the warning tone of the phrase, the “unprofessional” comment was taken out of context and circulated widely on social media. It then resurfaced later as criticism aimed at Jitesh, especially after Vaibhav produced a powerful knock of 78 off 26 balls against RCB earlier this season in Guwahati.
Seeking to address the misunderstanding, Jitesh spoke on RCB’s social media channel with Mr Nags. He was asked about what he had said and why he felt the need to clarify it. Jitesh maintained that his label of “unprofessional” applied only in a particular sense—because Sooryavanshi is still a child who likes simple comforts such as ice cream. He emphasized that there is plenty of professionalism around him, but he wants the youngster to remain himself.
To explain his point, Jitesh returned to the AB de Villiers conversation. He said that because Sooryavanshi is a close friend, he can speak freely about him. Jitesh added that when de Villiers asked which young player could become the next major star in Indian cricket, he quickly named Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and pointed to both technique and hard work as the reasons.
Jitesh said that when de Villiers asked why he felt that way, he told him that Vaibhav could dominate all three formats. He then explained that when de Villiers later suggested Vaibhav looked professional, Jitesh pushed back—repeating that Sooryavanshi is not a “professional” in the conventional sense, because he is only a 15-year-old. He described how the teenager enjoys everyday moments, including visiting Jitesh’s home, talking to his wife, and watching television and YouTube content. Jitesh said the bond is close enough that Sooryavanshi behaves like a younger sibling when he is around.
Wrapping up the clarification, Jitesh said he does not know what others have said, but that professionalism exists around the youngster. Still, he argued, Sooryavanshi remains a kid at heart, and once he comes over, he returns to that childlike side.
Next fixture
Rajasthan are scheduled to play their next match against Gujarat Titans on May 9.
