Jitesh fires at Sooryavanshi with harsh comment

• Jitesh Sharma criticised RCB’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s professionalism ahead of IPL.
• Suryavanshi, 15, scored 234 runs in the 2025 Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament.
• Suryavanshi joins Rajasthan Royals; Jitesh plays for RCB in the upcoming IPL season.

India and RCB cricketer Jitesh Sharma has come forward with a statement against youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi, claiming that the starlet is not "professional".

While this statement could raise eyebrows, the context and the reasons behind the same remain endearing.

Speaking ahead of the commencement of the new IPL season, Jitesh spoke of what it was like to share a dressing room with the Samastipur-born player, saying that he had tried his best to stop the young cricketer from following the disciplines that are expected to be obliged by a cricketer who is playing at the highest level.

"He's not professional, that I can tell you. Everyone is trying to get him professional, but I don't think he will ever get professional. He will be professional on the field, but off the field, he won't. I'm trying my best, asking him not to eat ice cream at night," Jitesh told AB de Villiers during a podcast on the latter's YouTube channel.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Jitesh Sharma represented India A at the Asia Cup Rising Stars in 2025. In that tournament, India A missed out on the finals, losing a closely fought match against Bangladesh A in a super over. Vaibhav was the second highest run-scorer in the tournament, finishing with 234 runs in four innings, which included a blistering 144 off just 42 balls against the UAE.

Vaibhav and Jitesh will be on opposing ends in the IPL. Vaibhav will be playing for the Rajasthan Royals, while the experienced wicketkeeper-batter will don the jersey for the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The teenage prodigy is set to play his second season in the IPL. After shattering records last season, with the fastest century by an Indian batter in the IPL, Vaibhav will be looking to be a constant presence for the Royals this season. There will be more responsibility on the 15-year-old’s shoulders with the departure of former captain Sanju Samson, a constant and reliable presence at the top for the Royals.

The 14-year-old comes off the back of a brilliant U-19 World Cup campaign, finishing as the player of the tournament, with 439 runs, including a mammoth 175 off just 80 balls in the final against England.