Jos Buttler added another chapter to his growing rapport with Rajasthan Royals teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after their IPL 2026 meeting, presenting the youngster with his own bat in a heartfelt gesture following the match. The emotional moment came despite the fact that Rajasthan fell to Gujarat Titans, with Vaibhav still delivering a standout cameo that underlined his fearless approach for a side that has leaned on youth this season.
Key takeaways
- Buttler gifted Vaibhav Sooryavanshi his bat after the RR vs GT game in IPL 2026.
- Vaibhav scored 36 off 16 balls for Rajasthan at a strike rate of 225, including three fours and three sixes.
- Gujarat Titans won by 77 runs on May 9, 2026, after posting 229/4.
- Shubman Gill struck 84 off 44 balls and Sai Sudharsan made 55, powering a 118-run opening stand.
- Rajasthan were bowled out for 152, with Rashid Khan’s middle-overs spell proving decisive.
Buttler’s gesture and Vaibhav’s rise in IPL 2026
The bat gift once again put a spotlight on Vaibhav’s rapid emergence as a key name for Rajasthan Royals. Even though the team went down to Gujarat Titans, the 15-year-old produced a brisk, high-impact innings, hitting 36 runs from only 16 deliveries. His 225 strike rate and quick boundary-and-maximum assault offered a glimpse of the confidence he has been showing across IPL 2026.
This was not the first time Buttler had made Vaibhav feel valued. Earlier in the season, during their initial meeting, the England batter was seen sharing an emotional exchange with the teenager. Buttler praised him highly and even went as far as saying Vaibhav was the finest batter he had seen at that stage of development.
In a video shared by Rajasthan Royals, Buttler said, “I said don’t get him too excited, but he’s the best player I’ve ever seen at this age. Imagine where he’ll be at 21 or 25, the world at his feet. He’s so good to watch.”
Buttler also highlighted Vaibhav’s fearless mindset and pointed to the impact he made at the Under-19 World Cup. He added, “You broke English hearts in the U19 World Cup. It’s awesome. You’re playing so well, keep it up. That freedom is amazing to watch.”
After the latest encounter, Buttler continued to show his admiration by handing over his bat, reinforcing the growing respect the youngster is already earning from major figures in world cricket.
How Gujarat Titans outclassed Rajasthan Royals
Gujarat Titans put in a complete all-round performance to secure a commanding 77-run victory on May 9, 2026. Batting first, the Titans compiled 229/4 in their 20 overs, which was also the highest total they had reached in the season up to that point.
Captain Shubman Gill was the standout, striking 84 off 44 balls. Sai Sudharsan supported him with a 55-run knock, and together they built a dominant 118-run opening partnership that set the tone for the innings.
Washington Sundar then provided the finishing touch, staying unbeaten on 37 off 20 deliveries as Gujarat crossed a big total with time to spare.
Rajasthan’s reply began brightly, with teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi launching quick scoring shots. Vaibhav smashed 36 off just 16 balls, while Dhruv Jurel added 24 off 10 balls to give RR an early surge. However, the chase swung sharply when Rashid Khan produced a decisive spell in the middle overs.
Once Rashid struck, Rajasthan lost momentum rapidly and slumped from a promising position to 152 all out in 16.3 overs. Jason Holder also contributed with the ball, but the turning point remained Rashid’s breakthroughs, which ensured the chase never regained stability.
