Jitesh Sharma has moved to calm the debate around his earlier description of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as “unprofessional”, saying the words were never meant as criticism of the teenager.
The comment had drawn plenty of reaction on social media. Jitesh addressed it on an RCB podcast and again in a chat with AB de Villiers on the latter’s YouTube channel, explaining that it was said in a friendly, brotherly tone and should not be read negatively.
“Let a child be a child”
Jitesh described Sooryavanshi as a 15-year-old who loves ice cream and who drops into his room to spend time with him. He said the youngster regularly visits his home too, where he mixes comfortably with the family, and that he regards him as a younger brother.
He added that, whatever the demands of professional sport, the teenager should be allowed to enjoy his childhood. Jitesh said he pays no attention to outside opinion and wants Sooryavanshi to be himself, relax, watch television, eat what he likes and concentrate on his batting.
The numbers this season
On the field, Jitesh has made 63 runs in seven innings in IPL 2026 at a strike rate of 112.50. Sooryavanshi, playing for Rajasthan Royals, has had a far bigger impact with 404 runs from 10 innings, averaging 40.40 and scoring at 237.64, with one century and two fifties.
What comes next
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are due to meet Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on May 7. Rajasthan Royals play Gujarat Titans on May 9 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
