Jitesh Sharma Clarifies ‘Unprofessional’ Remark on Prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

A Misunderstood Remark

In the high-stakes, pressure-cooker environment of the Indian Premier League (IPL), every word spoken by seasoned stars carries weight. When Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Jitesh Sharma recently described 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as ‘unprofessional,’ it sparked an immediate wildfire of speculation across social media and cricket forums. However, beneath the surface of this headline-grabbing soundbite lies a story of mentorship, affection, and the necessary preservation of childhood in the world of elite sports.

Jitesh Sharma’s comments initially surfaced during a candid conversation with cricketing legend AB de Villiers. When discussing the meteoric rise of the teenager, Jitesh remarked that the youngster was ‘not professional’ off the field. He humorously noted, ‘I’m trying my best. I ask him not to have ice cream at night,’ suggesting that the boy’s habits were far from the rigid lifestyle expected of a modern professional athlete.

The Reality Behind the ‘Unprofessional’ Tag

Recognizing the confusion caused by his words, Jitesh Sharma later clarified the situation in an interview with Mr. Nags. He emphasized that the term ‘unprofessional’ was meant in a lighthearted, observational sense rather than a derogatory one. For Jitesh, the label was a reflection of the reality that Sooryavanshi is, first and foremost, a 15-year-old boy, not a robot designed solely for cricket.

Reflecting on their bond, Jitesh shared, ‘He is a 15-year-old kid who loves ice cream. He comes to my room and eats it with me. If a child doesn’t want ice cream, what else would they have? We are very close—he’s like my younger brother.’ This intimate detail paints a picture of a senior player acting as a guardian, shielding the prodigy from the crushing weight of expectations that often break young talents.

Jitesh added, ‘I don’t care what people say. There is a lot of professionalism expected of him, but he is still only 15. Let a child be a child. I tell him, watch TV, eat whatever you want, and just focus on your batting.’

A Prodigy in the Making

While his off-field antics involving late-night ice cream and cartoons might seem ‘unprofessional’ to the purists, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s on-field statistics suggest a level of maturity that defies his age. His journey has been nothing short of extraordinary:

• Early Beginnings: He first grabbed national headlines at just 13 years old when he secured a landmark IPL contract worth ₹1.1 crore.
• Record-Breaking Prowess: A year later, he etched his name into history by smashing a century in just 35 balls, becoming the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket.
• Consistent Growth: His 2025 IPL season served as a breakout campaign, where he scored 252 runs in seven matches at a staggering strike rate above 200.
• IPL 2026 Domination: The current season has seen him graduate from ‘promising talent’ to ‘match-winner.’ In 10 matches, he has amassed 404 runs at an explosive strike rate of 237.65, firmly positioning himself in the race for the prestigious Orange Cap.

With an overall IPL career tally of 656 runs in 17 matches, averaging 38.58 at a strike rate of 224.65, Sooryavanshi has proven that his ‘unprofessional’ off-field lifestyle has done absolutely nothing to hinder his elite performance.

Balancing Youth and Elite Performance

The debate surrounding Sooryavanshi is symptomatic of a larger discussion in modern cricket: how to handle young stars. Ravi Shastri, known for his direct analysis, has previously weighed in on the youngster’s rise, acknowledging that while his talent is generational, the pressure on a 15-year-old to perform at the IPL level is immense.

Jitesh Sharma’s protective stance is a refreshing change of pace. By allowing Sooryavanshi a space where he doesn’t have to be a ‘star’—where he can simply be a teenager—Jitesh is arguably providing the most valuable form of mentorship. In a career that will likely span two decades, ensuring that a young athlete maintains their mental well-being by simply being a child off the field is a sophisticated form of professionalism in itself.

As the IPL 2026 season continues, all eyes will remain on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Whether he is hitting boundaries at will or enjoying ice cream in his room, he remains the most exciting prospect in Indian cricket today, supported by seniors like Jitesh who understand that even the brightest stars need to stay grounded in their youth.