Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Is Indeed Unprofessional: RCB Star Jitesh Sharma Maintains Stance on 15-Year-Old IPL Sensation but Clarifies It Was a Compliment
Jitesh Sharma Doubles Down on ‘Unprofessional’ Comment but Explains the Context
Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma has addressed the social media storm triggered by his remark calling 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi “unprofessional.” In a clarification shared during an RCB podcast that has gone viral, Jitesh maintained his stance but revealed that the comment was born out of genuine affection and their close personal friendship — not criticism of the teenage sensation’s cricketing abilities.
The original remark was made during a conversation with former RCB legend AB de Villiers on the South African’s YouTube channel. When de Villiers asked Jitesh which youngster he believed could become an Indian star, Jitesh immediately named Sooryavanshi. What followed was a candid description of the teenager’s off-field personality that, when taken out of context on social media, sparked a minor controversy in the cricket community.
What Jitesh Actually Said — and What He Meant
Providing the full context of his conversation with de Villiers, Jitesh explained: “AB asked, ‘Which youngster do you think could become an Indian star or player?’ My immediate answer was Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. When he asked why, I pointed to his technique, mentality, and hard work. I told him that Vaibhav could dominate all three formats and that he looks very professional on the field.”
The crucial nuance came in the next part: “But in reality, he isn’t just that. He is a 15-year-old kid who loves ice cream. He comes to my room and eats it with me — I don’t eat it, but he does. If a child doesn’t want ice cream, what else would they have? He visits our house, speaks with my wife, and watches videos on YouTube. We are very close.”
Jitesh’s use of “unprofessional” was clearly intended to highlight the endearing contrast between Sooryavanshi’s extraordinary cricketing maturity and his perfectly normal teenage behaviour off the field. The word was used affectionately to describe a 15-year-old who happens to play international-calibre cricket but still enjoys cartoons, ice cream, and YouTube videos like any child his age. “He is a very good friend of mine. We are very close, and I can call him anything,” Jitesh added firmly.
Who Is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: IPL’s Youngest Record-Breaker
The controversy has inadvertently shone a spotlight on one of Indian cricket’s most exciting talents. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who turned 15 during the IPL season, has already established himself as one of the most talked-about youngsters in the tournament’s history. Playing for Rajasthan Royals as an opening batsman, the teenager has displayed a level of batting technique and temperament that belies his age.
Earlier in IPL 2026, Sooryavanshi made headlines when he smashed a record-breaking 37-ball century against Sunrisers Hyderabad, becoming one of the youngest centurions in IPL history. His ability to play both pace and spin with equal comfort, combined with a fearless approach to batting that has drawn comparisons to Virender Sehwag, has made him a marquee attraction at every venue he plays.
Beyond the runs, what has impressed scouts and coaches most is Sooryavanshi’s mental strength. Playing in front of crowds of 50,000 or more, facing international fast bowlers, and handling the intense media scrutiny that comes with IPL stardom — all at an age when most teenagers are preparing for their Class 10 board exams — requires a psychological maturity that few possess. This is precisely what Jitesh was praising when he called Sooryavanshi someone who “could dominate all three formats.”
The Social Media Reaction
The controversy erupted when clips of Jitesh’s remarks were shared on social media without the full context of the conversation. Many users interpreted the word “unprofessional” as a criticism of Sooryavanshi’s attitude or work ethic, leading to a backlash against Jitesh. Fans of Rajasthan Royals were particularly vocal, accusing the RCB player of disrespecting their young star.
However, once the full conversation was shared and Jitesh’s clarification was published, the sentiment shifted dramatically. Many fans praised Jitesh for his genuine fondness for the teenager and for his insightful assessment of Sooryavanshi’s potential. Several former cricketers also weighed in, noting that the close bonds formed between players across franchises during the IPL are one of the tournament’s most positive aspects.
The Broader Conversation About Young Players in IPL
The incident has sparked a wider discussion about the treatment of teenage players in professional cricket. At 15, Sooryavanshi is among the youngest players to feature regularly in the IPL, and the pressures he faces — both on and off the field — are immense. From intense performance expectations to viral social media scrutiny, young players navigate a landscape that is fundamentally different from what previous generations experienced.
Cricket boards worldwide, including the BCCI, have introduced measures to protect young players’ welfare, including mandatory education programmes, mental health support, and restrictions on media access for minors. The Rajasthan Royals franchise has been credited with managing Sooryavanshi’s development carefully, limiting his media exposure and ensuring he has adequate rest between matches.
The recent Riyan Parag vaping controversy in the RR dressing room highlighted the challenges franchises face in managing young players’ off-field behaviour. Sooryavanshi’s case is different — his “unprofessional” behaviour consists of eating ice cream and watching cartoons — but it serves as a reminder that behind the statistics and highlight reels, these are young individuals navigating extraordinary circumstances.
For Jitesh Sharma, the message was simple: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a generational talent who also happens to be a regular teenager. And in a sport that often demands premature maturity from its youngest participants, that normalcy is not a weakness — it is something to be celebrated and protected. The IPL’s ability to nurture young talent like Sooryavanshi while maintaining competitive intensity remains one of the tournament’s greatest strengths.
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