Guwahati: Rajasthan Royals’ young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi grabbed attention off the field with a humorous exchange involving Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma ahead of their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash.
The light-hearted moment, which quickly went viral on social media, showcased the camaraderie between players despite being on opposing sides. The 15-year-old prodigy handled the playful teasing with confidence and wit, winning praise from fans online.
Friendly banter goes viral
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was seen interacting with Jitesh Sharma during a practice session before the match. In the widely circulated video, Jitesh picked up Sooryavanshi’s bat and jokingly thanked him, prompting a quick and cheeky response from the youngster.
“Hey brother, why are you doing this?” Sooryavanshi said, laughing, questioning why the senior player was behaving that way.
He then turned to Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder and added humorously that he had only explained a “trick” to Jitesh, who was now trying it back on him.
“I have found a trick in them, they are trying to solve this trick. There are so many batters in their team, they are not taking it,” he remarked, drawing laughter from those around.
Jitesh, not backing down, continued the banter by jokingly asking why he should even request anything, maintaining the playful tone of the interaction.
The youngster, however, had the last word. “IPL ke baad main de dunga… phir bhi aapko abhi hi chahiye,” he replied, indicating he had already promised the bat after the tournament but the RCB player was being impatient.
The exchange highlighted not just Sooryavanshi’s confidence but also his ability to engage comfortably with senior cricketers, a trait that has impressed fans and experts alike.
Match context and team changes
On the field, Rajasthan Royals (RR) won the toss and opted to bowl first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 16 of IPL 2026 at the Baraspara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
RR made a change to their playing XI, bringing in Brijesh Sharma in place of Tushar Deshpande. Meanwhile, RCB strengthened their bowling unit by including Josh Hazlewood, who replaced Jacob Duffy.
Speaking at the toss, RR captain Riyan Parag explained the decision to bowl first, citing pitch conditions and weather factors.
“We are going to be bowling first. It was supposed to be a dry wicket, but it has been raining, and there will be some moisture on this pitch. We would like to extract the most from the conditions,” Parag said.
He also noted that the team has been executing its strategies effectively and expressed satisfaction with the current form of the top-order batters.
Crowd support and rain interruption
RCB captain Rajat Patidar appreciated the strong crowd support, stating that it made the away fixture feel like a home game.
“This is the first away game. Thanks to everyone for making it feel like a home crowd. Unfortunately, Jacob Duffy misses out. Josh Hazlewood comes in, and his experience will definitely help us,” Patidar said.
However, just as the teams prepared to begin, rain returned to interrupt proceedings, adding uncertainty to the match after initial expectations of clearer weather.
Young star continues to impress
While the on-field action remained the main focus, it was Sooryavanshi’s off-field moment that captured widespread attention. His quick-witted response and relaxed demeanour have further endeared him to cricket fans across the country.
At just 15, the Rajasthan Royals youngster is already making headlines not only for his cricketing potential but also for his personality. Such moments underline the evolving culture of the IPL, where competitive spirit coexists with mutual respect and camaraderie among players.
As IPL 2026 progresses, Sooryavanshi’s performances—both on and off the field—will continue to be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
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