Jos Buttler Praises Young Talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Ahead of IPL Clash
Buttler's Admiration for Sooryavanshi
Jos Buttler expressed his admiration for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during a recent encounter before the Gujarat Titans (GT) faced off against his previous team, the Rajasthan Royals (RR), in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) on April 4 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi made a significant contribution to the match, scoring 31 runs off just 18 balls, which helped the Royals secure a narrow six-run victory under the leadership of Riyan Parag.
On the eve of the match, the Royals shared a video on their social media platforms showcasing Buttler meeting Sooryavanshi along with a member of the coaching staff. The GT wicketkeeper-batter praised the young player, calling him the most impressive talent he has ever encountered. He expressed excitement about witnessing Sooryavanshi's growth as a player in the coming years.
Buttler recounted the meeting, noting that he felt more starstruck than the young player. He shared, "He approached me saying, 'Vaibhav would love to say hello and meet you.' I think I was probably more starstruck meeting him than he was meeting me. It was a fantastic interaction. I couldn't believe that at just 15 years old, he was already making waves in the IPL, while I am 35 surrounded by numerous superstars. It's remarkable to see a 15-year-old excelling like this. He played exceptionally well, scoring 30 or 40 runs against us recently. It was great to chat with him and express how much I enjoy watching him play. I mentioned, 'I don't want to sound arrogant, but he must be the best player I've ever seen.' If he is achieving this at 15, just imagine what he will accomplish by 18 or 21! It was a delightful conversation," Buttler shared during his discussion with Stuart Broad on the 'For The Love Of Cricket' Podcast.
Sooryavanshi has stepped into the role previously held by Buttler, who was the opening batsman for the franchise from 2018 until 2024. The young talent has taken on this responsibility since joining the playing XI midway through the 2025 season.